CVE-2009-0688: Multiple buffer overflows in the CMU Cyrus SASL library before 2.1.23 might allow remote attackers to execute

Q: How do I fix CVE-2009-0688?

cyrus-sasl: upgrade to newer than 2.1.22. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2009-0688 being exploited?

CVE-2009-0688 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-2009-0688 affect?

CVE-2009-0688 affects cyrus-sasl. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). Multiple buffer overflows in the CMU Cyrus SASL library before 2.1.23 might allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via strings that are used as input to the sasl_encode64 function i

Q: How urgent is CVE-2009-0688?

Priority 50/100. High severity; EPSS top 5%: very likely to be exploited

This month

HIGH 7.5UPGRADE

CVE-2009-0688 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting cyrus-sasl. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Multiple buffer overflows in the CMU Cyrus SASL library before 2.1.23 might allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via strings that are used as input to the sasl_encode64 function in lib/saslutil.c.

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 5%: very likely to be exploited

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	8.2% (top 5%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-119
Published	2009-05-15
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): CERT/CC · Vendor: carnegie mellon university

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2009-05-15 15:30 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:05 UTCUpdated Record last modified

carnegie mellon university cyrus-sasl UPGRADE

Affected: <= 2.1.22 · 1.4.1 · 1.5.0 · 1.5.2 · 1.5.3 · 1.5.5 · 1.5.10 · 1.5.11

Fixed in: newer than 2.1.22

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy cyrus-sasl || rpm -q cyrus-sasl || cyrus-sasl --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 2.1.22 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade cyrus-sasl

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade cyrus-sasl

Note

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

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-2009-0688?

cyrus-sasl: upgrade to newer than 2.1.22. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2009-0688 being exploited?

CVE-2009-0688 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-2009-0688 affect?

CVE-2009-0688 affects cyrus-sasl. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). Multiple buffer overflows in the CMU Cyrus SASL library before 2.1.23 might allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via strings that are used as input to the sasl_encode64 function i

How urgent is CVE-2009-0688?

Priority 50/100. High severity; EPSS top 5%: very likely to be exploited

Related CVEs

CVE-2022-24407 HIGH 8.8 UPGRADE MITIGATE In Cyrus SASL 2.1.17 through 2.1.27 before 2.1.28, plugins/sql.c does not escape the password for a SQL INSERT
CVE-2019-19906 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE MITIGATE cyrus-sasl (aka Cyrus SASL) 2.1.27 has an out-of-bounds write leading to unauthenticated remote denial-of-serv
CVE-2020-8032 MEDIUM 6.7 UPGRADE A Insecure Temporary File vulnerability in the packaging of cyrus-sasl of openSUSE Factory allows local attack
CVE-2013-4122 MEDIUM 4.3 UPGRADE Cyrus SASL 2.1.23, 2.1.26, and earlier does not properly handle when a NULL value is returned upon an error by

References

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