CVE-2006-6105: Format string vulnerability in the host chooser window (gdmchooser) in GNOME Foundation Display Manager (gdm)

Routine

MEDIUM 4.3DOWNGRADE

CVE-2006-6105 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.3) affecting gdm. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Format string vulnerability in the host chooser window (gdmchooser) in GNOME Foundation Display Manager (gdm) allows local users to execute arbitrary code via format string specifiers in a hostname, which are used in an error dialog.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	4.3 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 65%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2006-12-15
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): Red Hat, Inc. · Vendor: gnome

Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2006-12-15 02:28 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:32 UTCUpdated Record last modified

gnome gdm DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.14.1 · 2.16 · 2.16.1 · 2.16.2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.14.1

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy gdm || rpm -q gdm || gdm --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.14.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison gdm sudo apt install gdm=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.14.1> sudo apt-mark hold gdm

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list gdm sudo dnf downgrade gdm-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.14.1> sudo dnf versionlock add gdm

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2006-6105?

gdm: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2006-6105 being exploited?

CVE-2006-6105 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2006-6105 affect?

CVE-2006-6105 affects gdm. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.3). Format string vulnerability in the host chooser window (gdmchooser) in GNOME Foundation Display Manager (gdm) allows local users to execute arbitrary code via format string specifiers in a hostname, which are used in an error dialog.

How urgent is CVE-2006-6105?

Priority 24/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Related CVEs

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CVE-2009-2697 MEDIUM 6.8 UPGRADE The Red Hat build script for the GNOME Display Manager (GDM) before 2.16.0-56 on Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHE
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CVE-2006-2452 LOW 3.7 DOWNGRADE GNOME GDM 2.8, 2.12, 2.14, and 2.15, when the "face browser" feature is enabled, allows local users to access

References

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