# CVE-2004-0523: Memory corruption in n/a

> Remote attackers can execute arbitrary code as root via buffer overflows in MIT Kerberos 5 authentication functions.

- **Severity:** Critical 10.0 (`AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 3 Jun 2004
- **Updated:** 8 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** DEBIAN-CVE-2004-0523, DSA-520, GHSA-gmh3-2x3j-5mm2, RHSA-2004:236

## What is CVE-2004-0523?

CVE-2004-0523 is a critical memory corruption vulnerability in Mit Kerberos 5, published on 3 Jun 2004. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Multiple buffer overflows in krb5_aname_to_localname for MIT Kerberos 5 (krb5) 1.3.3 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code as root.

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2004-0523?

It affects 7 products.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `krb5` | Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::as | All versions | 0:1.2.7-24 |
| `krb5-debuginfo` | Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::as | All versions | 0:1.2.7-24 |
| `krb5-devel` | Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::as | All versions | 0:1.2.7-24 |
| `krb5-libs` | Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::as | All versions | 0:1.2.7-24 |
| `krb5-server` | Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::as | All versions | 0:1.2.7-24 |
| `krb5-workstation` | Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::as | All versions | 0:1.2.7-24 |
| `krb5` | Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::desktop | All versions | 0:1.2.7-24 |
| `krb5-debuginfo` | Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::desktop | All versions | 0:1.2.7-24 |
| `krb5-devel` | Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::desktop | All versions | 0:1.2.7-24 |
| `krb5-libs` | Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::desktop | All versions | 0:1.2.7-24 |
| `krb5-server` | Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::desktop | All versions | 0:1.2.7-24 |
| `krb5-workstation` | Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::desktop | All versions | 0:1.2.7-24 |
| `krb5` | Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::es | All versions | 0:1.2.7-24 |
| `krb5-debuginfo` | Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::es | All versions | 0:1.2.7-24 |
| `krb5-devel` | Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::es | All versions | 0:1.2.7-24 |
| `krb5-libs` | Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::es | All versions | 0:1.2.7-24 |
| `krb5-server` | Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::es | All versions | 0:1.2.7-24 |
| `krb5-workstation` | Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::es | All versions | 0:1.2.7-24 |
| `krb5` | Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::ws | All versions | 0:1.2.7-24 |
| `krb5-debuginfo` | Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::ws | All versions | 0:1.2.7-24 |
| `krb5-devel` | Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::ws | All versions | 0:1.2.7-24 |
| `krb5-libs` | Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::ws | All versions | 0:1.2.7-24 |
| `krb5-server` | Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::ws | All versions | 0:1.2.7-24 |
| `krb5-workstation` | Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::ws | All versions | 0:1.2.7-24 |

Products: Mit Kerberos, Mit Kerberos 5, Sgi Propack, Sun Seam, Sun Solaris, Sun Sunos, Tinysofa Tinysofa Enterprise Server.

## How do I fix CVE-2004-0523?

Apply the vendor's patch.

## Is CVE-2004-0523 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2004-0523 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Mit Kerberos 5

- [CVE-2009-4212](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2009-4212/): Integer overflow in n/a (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2010-0283](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2010-0283/): Denial of service in n/a (high 7.8)
- [CVE-2018-5709](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-5709/): Integer overflow in n/a (high 7.5)
- [CVE-2003-0138](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2003-0138/): Auth bypass in n/a (high 7.5)
- [CVE-2003-0139](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2003-0139/): Auth bypass in n/a (high 7.5)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2004-0523 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2004-0523 is a critical memory corruption vulnerability in Mit Kerberos 5, published on 3 Jun 2004. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2004-0523 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Mit Kerberos 5. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2004-0523/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2004-0523/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2004-0523
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2004-0523
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2004-0523

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2004-0523/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.