CVE-2007-5248: Multiple format string vulnerabilities in the ID Software Doom 3 engine, as used by Doom 3 1.3.1 and earlier,

Q: How do I fix CVE-2007-5248?

doom 3: upgrade to newer than 1.3.1; quake 4: upgrade to newer than 1.4.2; prey: upgrade to newer than 1.3. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2007-5248 being exploited?

CVE-2007-5248 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2007-5248 affect?

CVE-2007-5248 affects doom 3, quake 4, prey. Severity is high (CVSS 9.3). Multiple format string vulnerabilities in the ID Software Doom 3 engine, as used by Doom 3 1.3.1 and earlier, Quake 4 1.4.2 and earlier, and Prey 1.3 and earlier, when Punkbuster (PB) is enabled, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary

Q: How urgent is CVE-2007-5248?

Priority 61/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 6%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

This week

HIGH 9.3UPGRADEUPGRADEUPGRADE

CVE-2007-5248 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 9.3) affecting doom 3, quake 4, prey. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Multiple format string vulnerabilities in the ID Software Doom 3 engine, as used by Doom 3 1.3.1 and earlier, Quake 4 1.4.2 and earlier, and Prey 1.3 and earlier, when Punkbuster (PB) is enabled, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (daemon crash) via format string specifiers in (1) a PB_Y packet to the YPG server or (2) a PB_U packet to UCON. NOTE: this issue might be in Punkbuster itself, but there are

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 6%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.3 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	7.5% (top 6%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-134
Published	2007-10-06
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: id software · take2games

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2007-10-06 17:17 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:45 UTCUpdated Record last modified

id software doom 3 UPGRADE

Affected: <= 1.3.1

Fixed in: newer than 1.3.1

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy doom-3 || rpm -q doom-3 || doom-3 --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 1.3.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade doom-3

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade doom-3

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

id software quake 4 UPGRADE

Affected: <= 1.4.2

Fixed in: newer than 1.4.2

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy quake-4 || rpm -q quake-4 || quake-4 --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 1.4.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade quake-4

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade quake-4

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

take2games prey UPGRADE

Affected: <= 1.3

Fixed in: newer than 1.3

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 1.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade prey

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade prey

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Exploit-DB: id Software Doom 3 Engine - Console String Visualization Format String

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-2007-5248?

doom 3: upgrade to newer than 1.3.1; quake 4: upgrade to newer than 1.4.2; prey: upgrade to newer than 1.3. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2007-5248 being exploited?

CVE-2007-5248 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-2007-5248 affect?

CVE-2007-5248 affects doom 3, quake 4, prey. Severity is high (CVSS 9.3). Multiple format string vulnerabilities in the ID Software Doom 3 engine, as used by Doom 3 1.3.1 and earlier, Quake 4 1.4.2 and earlier, and Prey 1.3 and earlier, when Punkbuster (PB) is enabled, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary

How urgent is CVE-2007-5248?

Priority 61/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 6%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

References

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