CVE-2012-0828: Heap-based buffer overflow in Xchat-WDK before 1499-4 (2012-01-18) xchat 2.8.6 on Maemo architecture could all

Q: How do I fix CVE-2012-0828?

gtk: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; xchat: upgrade to 2.8.6; xchat-wdk: upgrade to 1499-4. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2012-0828 being exploited?

CVE-2012-0828 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-2012-0828 affect?

CVE-2012-0828 affects gtk, xchat, xchat-wdk. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). Heap-based buffer overflow in Xchat-WDK before 1499-4 (2012-01-18) xchat 2.8.6 on Maemo architecture could allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (xchat client crash) or execute arbitrary code via a UTF-8 line from server conta

Q: How urgent is CVE-2012-0828?

Priority 62/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 9%: very likely to be exploited; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

This week

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEDOWNGRADEUPGRADEUPGRADE

CVE-2012-0828 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting gtk, xchat, xchat-wdk. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Heap-based buffer overflow in Xchat-WDK before 1499-4 (2012-01-18) xchat 2.8.6 on Maemo architecture could allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (xchat client crash) or execute arbitrary code via a UTF-8 line from server containing characters outside of the Basic Multilingual Plane (BMP).

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 9%: very likely to be exploited
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	4.3% (top 9%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-787
Published	2020-02-21
Last modified	2026-06-16

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

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2020-02-21 18:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:38 UTCUpdated Record last modified

gnome gtk DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.10.4 · 2.14.7 · 2.18.9 · 2.24.7

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.10.4

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.10.4 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison gtk sudo apt install gtk=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.10.4> sudo apt-mark hold gtk

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

dnf --showduplicates list gtk sudo dnf downgrade gtk-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.10.4> sudo dnf versionlock add gtk

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.

xchat xchat UPGRADE

Affected: < 2.8.6

Fixed in: 2.8.6

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 2.8.6 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade xchat

Note

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

xchat-wdk xchat-wdk UPGRADE

Affected: < 1499-4

Fixed in: 1499-4

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy xchat-wdk || rpm -q xchat-wdk || xchat-wdk --version

2. UPGRADE to 1499-4 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade xchat-wdk

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade xchat-wdk

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-2012-0828?

gtk: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; xchat: upgrade to 2.8.6; xchat-wdk: upgrade to 1499-4. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2012-0828 being exploited?

CVE-2012-0828 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-2012-0828 affect?

CVE-2012-0828 affects gtk, xchat, xchat-wdk. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). Heap-based buffer overflow in Xchat-WDK before 1499-4 (2012-01-18) xchat 2.8.6 on Maemo architecture could allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (xchat client crash) or execute arbitrary code via a UTF-8 line from server conta

How urgent is CVE-2012-0828?

Priority 62/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 9%: very likely to be exploited; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

References

← Back to latest CVEs