# CVE-2009-2286: Memory corruption in n/a

> A buffer overflow in compface allows attackers to cause a denial of service via a crafted XBM file, affecting specific patched distributions.

- **Severity:** Medium 4.3 (`AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:N/I:N/A:P`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Local or same network only
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 1 Jul 2009
- **Updated:** 7 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** DEBIAN-CVE-2009-2286, GHSA-6crq-w9mv-v5mf

## What is CVE-2009-2286?

CVE-2009-2286 is a medium-severity memory corruption vulnerability in n/a, published on 1 Jul 2009. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

Buffer overflow in compface 1.5.2 and earlier allows user-assisted attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a long declaration in a .xbm file.  NOTE: this issue only affects compface on distributions that used a certain patch.

Weakness: CWE-119 (Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2009-2286?

It affects 1 product.


Products: James Ashton Compface.

## How do I fix CVE-2009-2286?

Apply the vendor's patch.

## Is CVE-2009-2286 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2009-2286 exists.

Public exploit code:

- Compface 1.5.2 - '.xbm' Local Buffer Overflow (PoC) (exploitdb)
- Compface 1.1.5 - '.xbm' Local Buffer Overflow (exploitdb)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2009-2286 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2009-2286 is a medium-severity memory corruption vulnerability in n/a, published on 1 Jul 2009. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2009-2286 exists.

Affected product: n/a. 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-2009-2286/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2009-2286/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2009-2286
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2009-2286
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2009-2286

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2009-2286/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.