CVE-2015-1472

CVE-2015-1472 is a high-severity vulnerability in Gnu Glibc with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.5. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-119.

Key facts

• Severity: High (CVSS 2.0 base score 7.5)
• EPSS exploit prediction: 5% (91st percentile)
• Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
• Weakness: CWE-119
• Affected product: Gnu Glibc
• Published: 2015-04-08
• Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

The ADDW macro in stdio-common/vfscanf.c in the GNU C Library (aka glibc or libc6) before 2.21 does not properly consider data-type size during memory allocation, which allows context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service (buffer overflow) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a long line containing wide characters that are improperly handled in a wscanf call.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2015-1472?

The ADDW macro in stdio-common/vfscanf.c in the GNU C Library (aka glibc or libc6) before 2.21 does not properly consider data-type size during memory allocation, which allows context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service (buffer overflow) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a long line containing wide characters that are improperly handled in a wscanf call.

How severe is CVE-2015-1472?

CVE-2015-1472 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.5, rated high severity.

Is CVE-2015-1472 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 5% (91st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2015-1472?

CVE-2015-1472 primarily affects Gnu Glibc. In total, 5 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2015-1472?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2015-1472 published?

CVE-2015-1472 was published on 2015-04-08 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

• http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2015/02/04/1
• http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/153278/WAGO-852-Industrial-Managed-Switch-Series-Code-Execution-Hardcoded-Credentials.html
• http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/154361/Cisco-Device-Hardcoded-Credentials-GNU-glibc-BusyBox.html
• http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2019/Jun/18
• http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2019/Sep/7
• http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpujan2018-3236628.html
• http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/linuxbulletinoct2015-2719645.html
• http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/72428
• http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2519-1
• https://seclists.org/bugtraq/2019/Jun/14
• https://seclists.org/bugtraq/2019/Sep/7
• https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201602-02
• https://sourceware.org/git/gitweb.cgi?p=glibc.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=5bd80bfe9ca0d955bfbbc002781bc7b01b6bcb06
• https://sourceware.org/ml/libc-alpha/2015-02/msg00119.html

Affected products (5)

• cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:10.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:12.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:14.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:14.10:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:glibc:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Gnu Glibc

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