CVE-2015-8972

Name: CVE-2015-8972
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2017-01-23T21:59:00.847+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

CRITICALCVSS 9.8/10EPSS 3.76%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2015-8972 is a critical-severity vulnerability rated 9.8/10 on the CVSS scale. Stack-based buffer overflow in the ValidateMove function in frontend/move.cc in GNU Chess (aka gnuchess) before 6.2.4 might allow context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary code via a large input, as demonstrated when in UCI mode.. EPSS estimates a 3.76% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

Stack-based buffer overflow in the ValidateMove function in frontend/move.cc in GNU Chess (aka gnuchess) before 6.2.4 might allow context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary code via a large input, as demonstrated when in UCI mode.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

9.8/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

3.76%

88.5th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-119

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Gnu	Chess	< 6.2.4

References

http://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/bug-gnu-chess/2015-10/msg00002.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory
http://svn.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/chess?revision=134&view=revisionPatch, Third Party Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/11/13/2Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/11/14/11Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/11/14/12Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/bug-gnu-chess/2015-10/msg00002.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory
http://svn.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/chess?revision=134&view=revisionPatch, Third Party Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/11/13/2Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/11/14/11Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/11/14/12Mailing List, Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Jan 23, 2017
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2015-8972?

How severe is CVE-2015-8972?

CVE-2015-8972 has a CVSS score of 9.8/10 (CRITICAL severity). The EPSS model estimates a 3.76% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2015-8972?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2015-8972?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

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Source: NVD / NIST