CVE-2015-8972
CVE-2015-8972 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Gnu Chess with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. 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: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
- CVSS v2: 7.5
- EPSS exploit prediction: 4% (89th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- Weakness: CWE-119
- Affected product: Gnu Chess
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
Stack-based buffer overflow in the ValidateMove function in frontend/move.cc in GNU Chess (aka gnuchess) before 6.2.4 might allow context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary code via a large input, as demonstrated when in UCI mode.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2015-8972?
- Stack-based buffer overflow in the ValidateMove function in frontend/move.cc in GNU Chess (aka gnuchess) before 6.2.4 might allow context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary code via a large input, as demonstrated when in UCI mode.
- How severe is CVE-2015-8972?
- CVE-2015-8972 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
- Is CVE-2015-8972 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 4% (89th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- What products are affected by CVE-2015-8972?
- CVE-2015-8972 affects Gnu Chess. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2015-8972?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
- When was CVE-2015-8972 published?
- CVE-2015-8972 was published on 2017-01-23 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
- http://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/bug-gnu-chess/2015-10/msg00002.html
- http://svn.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/chess?revision=134&view=revision
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/11/13/2
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/11/14/11
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/11/14/12
Affected products (1)
- cpe:2.3:a:gnu:chess:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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