CVE-2012-0270: Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in Csound before 5.16.6 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code

Q: How do I fix CVE-2012-0270?

csound: upgrade to newer than 5.16.1. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2012-0270 being exploited?

CVE-2012-0270 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-2012-0270 affect?

CVE-2012-0270 affects csound. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in Csound before 5.16.6 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted (1) hetro file to the getnum function in util/heti_main.c or (2) PVOC file to the getnum function in util/pv_import

Q: How urgent is CVE-2012-0270?

Priority 56/100. High severity; EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

This week

HIGH 7.5UPGRADE

CVE-2012-0270 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting csound. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in Csound before 5.16.6 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted (1) hetro file to the getnum function in util/heti_main.c or (2) PVOC file to the getnum function in util/pv_import.c.

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	54.7% (top 1%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-119
Published	2014-02-17
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): Flexera Software LLC · Vendor: csounds

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2014-02-17 16:55 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:37 UTCUpdated Record last modified

csounds csound UPGRADE

Affected: <= 5.16.1 · 5.12.4 · 5.13.0 · 5.13.1 · 5.14.0 · 5.14.1 · 5.14.2 · 5.15.0

Fixed in: newer than 5.16.1

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 5.16.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade csound

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: Csound - '.hetro' File Handling Stack Buffer Overflow (Metasploit)
Metasploit: Csound hetro File Handling Stack Buffer Overflow

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-2012-0270?

csound: upgrade to newer than 5.16.1. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2012-0270 being exploited?

CVE-2012-0270 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-2012-0270 affect?

CVE-2012-0270 affects csound. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in Csound before 5.16.6 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted (1) hetro file to the getnum function in util/heti_main.c or (2) PVOC file to the getnum function in util/pv_import

How urgent is CVE-2012-0270?

Priority 56/100. High severity; EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2012-2108 HIGH 9.3 UPGRADE Stack-based buffer overflow in the main function in util/lpci_main.c in Csound before 5.17.2, when converting
CVE-2012-2107 HIGH 9.3 UPGRADE Integer overflow in the main function in util/lpci_main.c in Csound before 5.17.2, when converting a file, all
CVE-2012-2106 HIGH 9.3 DOWNGRADE Integer overflow in the pv_import function in util/pv_import.c in Csound 5.16.6, when converting a file, allow

References

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