`CVE-2015-0235` glibc

Affected software	glibc
Severity	10.0 High CVSS 2.0
Weakness	Out-of-bounds write (CWE-787)
Published	28 Jan 2015
Updated	17 Jun 2026

Description

Heap-based buffer overflow in the __nss_hostname_digits_dots function in glibc 2.2, and other 2.x versions before 2.18, allows context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary code via vectors related to the (1) gethostbyname or (2) gethostbyname2 function, aka "GHOST."

Exploitation status

Working exploit published

A reviewed exploit catalogue lists ready-to-run exploit code for this CVE.

CISA KEV not listed
VulnCheck KEV not listed
CISA Vulnrichment no assessment published
Indexed PoC 18 indexed Published artifacts you can open, in Exploit-DB, GitHub PoC, Metasploit; first seen 2015-01-27.
EPSS 95% chance in 30 days A model's forecast, not a report of exploitation. Higher than 99.9% of all scored CVEs.

4 of these are GitHub repositories with fewer than 5 stars. They are listed for reference and don't count toward the exploitation status above.

Index	Artifact	Stars	First seen
GitHub PoC	Ansible playbook to check vulnerability for CVE-2015-0235	15	2015-01-27
Exploit-DB	Exim - 'GHOST' glibc gethostbyname Buffer Overflow (Metasploit)		2015-03-18
Metasploit	Exim GHOST (glibc gethostbyname) Buffer Overflow (great rank)
GitHub PoC	A shared library wrapper with additional checks for vulnerable functions gethostbyname2_r gethostbyname_r (GHOST vulnerability)	6	2015-02-02
Exploit-DB	Exim ESMTP 4.80 - glibc gethostbyname Denial of Service		2015-01-29
GitHub PoC	Test wether you're exposed to ghost (CVE-2015-0235). All kudos go to Qualys Security	6	2015-01-27
GitHub PoC	CVE-2015-0235 EXIM ESTMP GHOST Glibc Gethostbyname() DoS Exploit/PoC	4	2015-03-28
GitHub PoC	A chef cookbook to test the GHOST vulnerability	3	2015-01-27
GitHub PoC	gethostbyname*() buffer overflow exploit in glibc - CVE-2015-0235 https://community.qualys.com/blogs/laws-of-vulnerabilities/2015/01/27/the-ghost-vulnerability	1	2015-01-29
GitHub PoC	Ansible playbook, to check for CVE-2015-0235 (GHOST) vulnerability	1	2015-01-28

Waratek protection

Outside Waratek scope

A Java vulnerability, but not one Waratek protects. It affects only Java on a user's desktop (applets, Web Start, JavaFX, the installer), sits in a product the Waratek agent can't be installed into, or is in a package we don't expect in business applications. The decision below says which.

Protection none
Action not pursued none
Review human Researcher
Record active

Decided by	Manual classification of this CVE in the legacy dataset
Finding	A manual classification set this CVE's status to Outside Waratek scope, but the CVE names a tracked product.

Decided by

Manual classification of this CVE in the legacy dataset

Finding

A manual classification set this CVE's status to Outside Waratek scope, but the CVE names a tracked product.

Affected software and releases

Oracle advisories

Advisory	Type	Quarter	Products Oracle names in its risk matrix
Oracle Critical Patch Update October 2018 ↗	CPU	2018-Q4	Oracle Communications Applications / Security (Glibc) (Prior to 3.7.1M0)
Oracle Critical Patch Update October 2017 ↗	CPU	2017-Q4	Oracle Communications Applications / Media (glibc) (7.0, 7.1, 7.2) Oracle Communications Applications / Security (glibc) (10.x)
Oracle Critical Patch Update July 2017 ↗	CPU	2017-Q3	Oracle Communications Applications / Platform (GlibC) (11.5)
Oracle Critical Patch Update October 2016 ↗	CPU	2016-Q4	Oracle Communications Applications / Glibc (9.7.3, 9.9.1, 10.4.1, 12.1.1 and earlier)
Oracle Critical Patch Update July 2016 ↗	CPU	2016-Q3	Oracle Communications Applications / Other (16.0) Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite / Firmware (Versions prior to 2.2.2) Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite / Firmware (Versions prior to 2.2.2)
Oracle Critical Patch Update January 2016 ↗	CPU	2016-Q1	Oracle Communications Applications / Glibc (10.0)
Oracle Critical Patch Update October 2015 ↗	CPU	2015-Q4	Oracle Communications Applications / Oracle Communications LSMS (13.1) Oracle Pillar Axiom / Oracle FS1-2 Flash Storage System (6.1, 6.2, 6.3)
Oracle Critical Patch Update July 2015 ↗	CPU	2015-Q3	Oracle Communications Applications / Oracle Communications Session Border Controller (Versions prior to 7.2.0m4) Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite / Fujitsu M10-1, M10-4, M10-4S Servers (XCP prior to XCP 2260) Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite / Integrated Lights Out Manager (ILOM) (Sun System Firmware prior to 8.7.2.b, 9.4.2e) Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite / Oracle Ethernet Switch ES2-72, Oracle Ethernet Switch ES2-64 (Versions prior to 1.9.1.2) Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite / Oracle Switch ES1-24 (Versions prior to 1.3.1) Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite / SPARC Enterprise M3000, M4000, M5000, M8000, M9000 Servers (XCP prior to XCP 1120) Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite / Sun Blade 6000 Ethernet Switched NEM 24P 10GE (Versions prior to 1.2.2) Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite / Sun Network 10GE Switch 72p (Versions prior to 1.2.2)
Oracle Critical Patch Update April 2015 ↗	CPU	2015-Q2	Oracle Fusion Middleware / Network Infra Framework (1.x, 2.x) Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite / NX-OS (5.2, 6.2)

Advisory

Type

Quarter

Products Oracle names in its risk matrix

Oracle Critical Patch Update October 2018 ↗

CPU

2018-Q4

Oracle Communications Applications / Security (Glibc) (Prior to 3.7.1M0)

Oracle Critical Patch Update October 2017 ↗

CPU

2017-Q4

Oracle Communications Applications / Media (glibc) (7.0, 7.1, 7.2)
Oracle Communications Applications / Security (glibc) (10.x)

Oracle Critical Patch Update July 2017 ↗

CPU

2017-Q3

Oracle Communications Applications / Platform (GlibC) (11.5)

Oracle Critical Patch Update October 2016 ↗

CPU

2016-Q4

Oracle Communications Applications / Glibc (9.7.3, 9.9.1, 10.4.1, 12.1.1 and earlier)

Oracle Critical Patch Update July 2016 ↗

CPU

2016-Q3

Oracle Communications Applications / Other (16.0)
Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite / Firmware (Versions prior to 2.2.2)
Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite / Firmware (Versions prior to 2.2.2)

Oracle Critical Patch Update January 2016 ↗

CPU

2016-Q1

Oracle Communications Applications / Glibc (10.0)

Oracle Critical Patch Update October 2015 ↗

CPU

2015-Q4

Oracle Communications Applications / Oracle Communications LSMS (13.1)
Oracle Pillar Axiom / Oracle FS1-2 Flash Storage System (6.1, 6.2, 6.3)

Oracle Critical Patch Update July 2015 ↗

CPU

2015-Q3

Oracle Communications Applications / Oracle Communications Session Border Controller (Versions prior to 7.2.0m4)
Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite / Fujitsu M10-1, M10-4, M10-4S Servers (XCP prior to XCP 2260)
Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite / Integrated Lights Out Manager (ILOM) (Sun System Firmware prior to 8.7.2.b, 9.4.2e)
Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite / Oracle Ethernet Switch ES2-72, Oracle Ethernet Switch ES2-64 (Versions prior to 1.9.1.2)
Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite / Oracle Switch ES1-24 (Versions prior to 1.3.1)
Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite / SPARC Enterprise M3000, M4000, M5000, M8000, M9000 Servers (XCP prior to XCP 1120)
Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite / Sun Blade 6000 Ethernet Switched NEM 24P 10GE (Versions prior to 1.2.2)
Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite / Sun Network 10GE Switch 72p (Versions prior to 1.2.2)

Oracle Critical Patch Update April 2015 ↗

CPU

2015-Q2

Oracle Fusion Middleware / Network Infra Framework (1.x, 2.x)
Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite / NX-OS (5.2, 6.2)

Oracle components and versions

Family	Component	Versions, as Oracle lists them	Read as
Oracle Communications Applications	Glibc	9.7.3, 9.9.1, 10.4.1, 12.1.1 and earlier	9.7.3 · 9.9.1 · 10.0 · 10.4.1
Oracle Communications Applications	Media (glibc)	7.0, 7.1, 7.2	7.0 · 7.1 · 7.2
Oracle Communications Applications	Oracle Communications LSMS	13.1	13.1
Oracle Communications Applications	Oracle Communications Session Border Controller	Versions prior to 7.2.0m4	7.2.0.4
Oracle Communications Applications	Other	16.0	16.0
Oracle Communications Applications	Platform (GlibC)	11.5	11.5
Oracle Communications Applications	Security (Glibc)	Prior to 3.7.1M0
Oracle Communications Applications	Security (glibc)	10.x	10
Oracle Fusion Middleware	Network Infra Framework	1.x, 2.x	1 · 2
Oracle Pillar Axiom	Oracle FS1-2 Flash Storage System	6.1, 6.2, 6.3	6.1 · 6.2 · 6.3
Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite	Firmware	Versions prior to 2.2.2	2.2.2
Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite	Fujitsu M10-1, M10-4, M10-4S Servers	XCP prior to XCP 2260	2260
Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite	Integrated Lights Out Manager (ILOM)	Sun System Firmware prior to 8.7.2.b, 9.4.2e	8.7.2 · 9.4.2
Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite	NX-OS	5.2, 6.2	5.2 · 6.2
Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite	Oracle Ethernet Switch ES2-72, Oracle Ethernet Switch ES2-64	Versions prior to 1.9.1.2	1.9.1.2
Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite	Oracle Switch ES1-24	Versions prior to 1.3.1	1.3.1
Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite	SPARC Enterprise M3000, M4000, M5000, M8000, M9000 Servers	XCP prior to XCP 1120	1120
Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite	Sun Blade 6000 Ethernet Switched NEM 24P 10GE	Versions prior to 1.2.2	1.2.2
Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite	Sun Network 10GE Switch 72p	Versions prior to 1.2.2	1.2.2

Family

Component

Versions, as Oracle lists them

Read as

Oracle Communications Applications

Glibc

9.7.3, 9.9.1, 10.4.1, 12.1.1 and earlier

9.7.3 · 9.9.1 · 10.0 · 10.4.1

Oracle Communications Applications

Media (glibc)

7.0, 7.1, 7.2

7.0 · 7.1 · 7.2

Oracle Communications Applications

Oracle Communications LSMS

13.1

Oracle Communications Applications

Oracle Communications Session Border Controller

Versions prior to 7.2.0m4

7.2.0.4

Oracle Communications Applications

Other

16.0

Oracle Communications Applications

Platform (GlibC)

11.5

Oracle Communications Applications

Security (Glibc)

Prior to 3.7.1M0

Oracle Communications Applications

Security (glibc)

10.x

Oracle Fusion Middleware

Network Infra Framework

1.x, 2.x

1 · 2

Oracle Pillar Axiom

Oracle FS1-2 Flash Storage System

6.1, 6.2, 6.3

6.1 · 6.2 · 6.3

Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite

Firmware

Versions prior to 2.2.2

2.2.2

Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite

Fujitsu M10-1, M10-4, M10-4S Servers

XCP prior to XCP 2260

2260

Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite

Integrated Lights Out Manager (ILOM)

Sun System Firmware prior to 8.7.2.b, 9.4.2e

8.7.2 · 9.4.2

Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite

NX-OS

5.2, 6.2

5.2 · 6.2

Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite

Oracle Ethernet Switch ES2-72, Oracle Ethernet Switch ES2-64

Versions prior to 1.9.1.2

1.9.1.2

Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite

Oracle Switch ES1-24

Versions prior to 1.3.1

1.3.1

Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite

SPARC Enterprise M3000, M4000, M5000, M8000, M9000 Servers

XCP prior to XCP 1120

1120

Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite

Sun Blade 6000 Ethernet Switched NEM 24P 10GE

Versions prior to 1.2.2

1.2.2

Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite

Sun Network 10GE Switch 72p

Versions prior to 1.2.2

1.2.2

Products and versions

18 products, 33 version entries

Source	Vendor	Product	Scheme	Affected versions
nvd	apple	mac os x	generic	＜ 10.11.1
nvd	debian	debian linux	generic	7.0 · 8.0
nvd	gnu	glibc	generic	≥ 2.0 and ＜ 2.18
nvd	ibm	pureapplication system	generic	1.0.0.0 · 1.1.0.0 · 2.0.0.0
nvd	ibm	security access manager for enterprise single sign-on	generic	8.2
nvd	oracle	communications application session controller	generic	＜ 3.7.1
nvd	oracle	communications eagle application processor	generic	16.0
nvd	oracle	communications eagle lnp application processor	generic	10.0
nvd	oracle	communications lsms	generic	13.1
nvd	oracle	communications policy management	generic	9.7.3 · 9.9.1 · 10.4.1 · 11.5 · 12.1.1
nvd	oracle	communications session border controller	generic	7.2.0 · ＜ 7.2.0 · 8.0.0
nvd	oracle	communications user data repository	generic	≥ 10.0.0 and ≤ 10.0.1
nvd	oracle	communications webrtc session controller	generic	7.0 · 7.1 · 7.2
nvd	oracle	exalogic infrastructure	generic	1.0 · 2.0
nvd	oracle	linux	generic	5 · 7:0
nvd	oracle	vm virtualbox	generic	＜ 5.1.24
nvd	php	php	generic	≥ 5.4.0 and ＜ 5.4.38 · ≥ 5.5.0 and ＜ 5.5.22 · ≥ 5.6.0 and ＜ 5.6.6
nvd	redhat	virtualization	generic	6.0

Source

Vendor

Product

Scheme

Affected versions

nvd

apple

mac os x

generic

＜ 10.11.1

nvd

debian

debian linux

generic

7.0 · 8.0

nvd

gnu

glibc

generic

≥ 2.0 and ＜ 2.18

nvd

ibm

pureapplication system

generic

1.0.0.0 · 1.1.0.0 · 2.0.0.0

nvd

ibm

security access manager for enterprise single sign-on

generic

8.2

nvd

oracle

communications application session controller

generic

＜ 3.7.1

nvd

oracle

communications eagle application processor

generic

16.0

nvd

oracle

communications eagle lnp application processor

generic

10.0

nvd

oracle

communications lsms

generic

13.1

nvd

oracle

communications policy management

generic

9.7.3 · 9.9.1 · 10.4.1 · 11.5 · 12.1.1

nvd

oracle

communications session border controller

generic

7.2.0 · ＜ 7.2.0 · 8.0.0

nvd

oracle

communications user data repository

generic

≥ 10.0.0 and ≤ 10.0.1

nvd

oracle

communications webrtc session controller

generic

7.0 · 7.1 · 7.2

nvd

oracle

exalogic infrastructure

generic

1.0 · 2.0

nvd

oracle

linux

generic

5 · 7:0

nvd

oracle

vm virtualbox

generic

＜ 5.1.24

nvd

php

generic

≥ 5.4.0 and ＜ 5.4.38 · ≥ 5.5.0 and ＜ 5.5.22 · ≥ 5.6.0 and ＜ 5.6.6

nvd

redhat

virtualization

generic

6.0

Earlier manual review

A reviewer classified this CVE in an older dataset. We kept the labels and products below, but not the reviewer's reasoning.

## Manual Classification Context **Labels:** HTTP, GLIBC, MEDIA (GLIBC), MULTIPLE, NO AUTH REMOTE EXPLOIT, XCP FIRMWARE, NETWORK INFRA FRAMEWORK, OTHER, FIRMWARE, TLS, SECURITY (GLIBC), NX-OS, PLATFORM (GLIBC) **Products:** M10-4, ORACLE COMMUNICATIONS WEBRTC SESSION CONTROLLER, ORACLE COMMUNICATIONS EAGLE APPLICATION PROCESSOR, ORACLE EXALOGIC INFRASTRUCTURE, CISCO MDS FIBER CHANNEL SWITCH, FUJITSU M10-1, ORACLE FS1-2 FLASH STORAGE SYSTEM, M10-4S SERVERS, M8000, M9000 SERVERS, GLIBC, ORACLE COMMUNICATIONS APPLICATION SESSION CONTROLLER, ORACLE COMMUNICATIONS POLICY MANAGEMENT, SUN BLADE 6000 ETHERNET SWITCHED NEM 24P 10GE, ORACLE COMMUNICATIONS EAGLE LNP APPLICATION PROCESSOR, ORACLE SWITCH ES1-24, ORACLE FUSION MIDDLEWARE, SUN NETWORK 10GE SWITCH 72P, ORACLE ETHERNET SWITCH ES2-72, ORACLE SUN SYSTEMS PRODUCTS SUITE, M5000, ORACLE PILLAR AXIOM, ORACLE COMMUNICATIONS SESSION BORDER CONTROLLER, M4000, ORACLE COMMUNICATIONS LSMS, INTEGRATED LIGHTS OUT MANAGER (ILOM), ORACLE ETHERNET SWITCH ES2-64, SUN DATA CENTER INFINIBAND SWITCH 36, SUN NETWORK QDR INFINIBAND GATEWAY SWITCH, ORACLE COMMUNICATIONS APPLICATIONS, ORACLE COMMUNICATIONS USER DATA REPOSITORY, SPARC ENTERPRISE M3000

References

URL	Tags
http://blogs.sophos.com/2015/01/29/sophos-products-and-the-ghost-vulnerability-affecting-linux/	Third Party Advisory
http://linux.oracle.com/errata/ELSA-2015-0090.html	Third Party Advisory
http://linux.oracle.com/errata/ELSA-2015-0092.html	Third Party Advisory
http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2015/Jun/msg00002.html	Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2015/Oct/msg00005.html	Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2015/Sep/msg00008.html	Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=142296726407499&w=2	Issue Tracking, Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=142721102728110&w=2	Issue Tracking, Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=142722450701342&w=2	Issue Tracking, Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=142781412222323&w=2	Issue Tracking, Mailing List, Third Party Advisory

URL

Timeline

Published	2015-01-28	By the CVE Program.
NVD record modified	2026-06-17	NVD's own last-modified date for this record.

Published

2015-01-28

By the CVE Program.

NVD record modified

2026-06-17

NVD's own last-modified date for this record.

How VRT decided (5 of 24 rules ran)

5 of 24 rules ran. The rest didn't run because an earlier rule had already settled the CVE.

# Rule Outcome Status Detail

identity: Does this identifier describe a vulnerability at all? the first rule that matches decides

1 rejected no match CVE Program withdrawal of this identifier

scope: Is it a vulnerability Waratek protects? the first rule that matches decides

2 armr-patch-file no match An ARMR patch file on disk for this CVE

3 armr-secure-rule-file no match An ARMR security-rule template on disk for this CVE

4 manual-classification no match A researcher's recorded decision for this specific CVE

5 manual classification decided it matched Outside Waratek scope Found in legacy manual classifications

6 non-java-upstream not reached A root cause in non-Java code: an OS kernel, a C library, or a bundled runtime

7 oracle-component not reached The defect being in a component of a tracked product the agent does not reach: JavaFX, the Java SE installer, the JInitiator browser plug-in, the native WebLogic proxy plug-in, or a native part of Oracle Application Server or Collaboration Suite (HTTP Server, Web Cache, Internet Directory, mail and calendar servers). Oracle gives these no CPE of their own and names them only in the description.

8 java-client-side not reached Oracle's own risk-matrix note saying the CVE is reached only through untrusted code in the Java sandbox (applets, Web Start) or only through a client installation of Java, so a server running its own trusted code is not exposed

9 osv-maven not reached An OSV.dev record of this CVE affecting a package published to Maven Central. When every such package is one business applications do not use (Minecraft mods and launchers, Fastjson) and no tracked product is named by CPE, it settles the CVE as Outside Waratek scope instead

10 cna-maven-package not reached An affected Maven artifact named by the CNA itself

11 known-cpe-product not reached An NVD CPE naming a product ARMR tracks

12 cna-cpe-product not reached A CPE the CNA published naming a tracked product. Oracle publishes these on advisory day, months before NVD.

13 oracle-advisory-family not reached A tracked product family named in Oracle's own risk matrix. CPE cannot carry a suite name, only a module.

14 cna-named-product not reached A tracked product named in words by the CVE's own CNA, on a record with no CPE yet. Apache and Eclipse publish these on advisory day, before NVD adds CPE data.

15 non-deployable-product not reached The only affected product being a sealed appliance image, where Java runs but no -javaagent can be attached

16 unmatched-product not reached No tracked product matched above, and none present at all

disposition: What do we do about one that is? every rule runs

17 patch-hint not reached A reference pointing at the upstream fix: a commit, a PR, a Red Hat bug

18 open-source-maven not reached The affected package being open source on Maven, so the fix can be read

19 poc-derivable not reached An indexed exploit clearing the evidence bar to reverse-engineer, where there is no source to read

20 no-exploit not reached Nothing to build a rule from yet: no published exploit, no CISA record of exploitation and no source-level change to read

21 secure-rule-match not reached A vulnerability class already blocked by an ARMR security rule

22 exploited-no-fix-or-poc not reached Somebody exploiting this CVE (a CISA or VulnCheck KEV listing, or a CISA verdict of active exploitation), with no fix, source code or PoC to build a rule from

23 below-action-threshold not reached Medium or Low severity, no CISA or VulnCheck KEV listing, no PoC clearing the evidence bar, no CISA verdict, no Oracle advisory

24 no-exploit-published not reached Exploit code for this candidate, published in a reviewed catalogue or a GitHub repository with 5 or more stars, or in use per CISA or VulnCheck; not only a CISA verdict, a forecast, or nothing at all

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