CWE-134
AllowedUse of Externally-Controlled Format String
Abstraction: Base · Status: Draft
The product uses a function that accepts a format string as an argument, but the format string originates from an external source.
540 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-76G8-VF43-PMGG
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 04:00 – Updated: 2022-05-17 04:00Format string vulnerability in the up.time client in Idera Uptime Infrastructure Monitor 6.0 and 7.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via format string specifiers.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2015-2894"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-134"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2015-12-31T05:59:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Format string vulnerability in the up.time client in Idera Uptime Infrastructure Monitor 6.0 and 7.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via format string specifiers.",
"id": "GHSA-76g8-vf43-pmgg",
"modified": "2022-05-17T04:00:17Z",
"published": "2022-05-17T04:00:17Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2015-2894"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/377260"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-76XJ-3V79-3JWJ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-09-04 03:30 – Updated: 2023-09-04 03:30A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in TOTOLINK N200RE V5 9.3.5u.6437_B20230519. This affects the function Validity_check. The manipulation leads to format string. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-238635.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-4746"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-134"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-09-04T01:15:07Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in TOTOLINK N200RE V5 9.3.5u.6437_B20230519. This affects the function Validity_check. The manipulation leads to format string. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-238635.",
"id": "GHSA-76xj-3v79-3jwj",
"modified": "2023-09-04T03:30:17Z",
"published": "2023-09-04T03:30:17Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-4746"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://gist.github.com/dmknght/8f3b6aa65e9d08f45b5236c6e9ab8d80"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vuldb.com/?ctiid.238635"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vuldb.com/?id.238635"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-7838-J28V-C2RP
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-12-19 15:30 – Updated: 2022-12-27 18:30A vulnerability was found in multimon-ng. It has been rated as critical. This issue affects the function add_ch of the file demod_flex.c. The manipulation of the argument ch leads to format string. Upgrading to version 1.2.0 is able to address this issue. The name of the patch is e5a51c508ef952e81a6da25b43034dd1ed023c07. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. The identifier VDB-216269 was assigned to this vulnerability.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2020-36619"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-119",
"CWE-134"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-12-19T14:15:00Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "A vulnerability was found in multimon-ng. It has been rated as critical. This issue affects the function add_ch of the file demod_flex.c. The manipulation of the argument ch leads to format string. Upgrading to version 1.2.0 is able to address this issue. The name of the patch is e5a51c508ef952e81a6da25b43034dd1ed023c07. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. The identifier VDB-216269 was assigned to this vulnerability.",
"id": "GHSA-7838-j28v-c2rp",
"modified": "2022-12-27T18:30:20Z",
"published": "2022-12-19T15:30:29Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-36619"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/EliasOenal/multimon-ng/pull/160"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/EliasOenal/multimon-ng/commit/e5a51c508ef952e81a6da25b43034dd1ed023c07"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/EliasOenal/multimon-ng/releases/tag/1.2.0"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vuldb.com/?id.216269"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-78F6-722X-3325
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-14 03:35 – Updated: 2022-05-14 03:35Huawei VP9660 V500R002C10 has a uncontrolled format string vulnerability when the license module output the log information. An authenticated local attacker could exploit this vulnerability to cause a denial of service.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2017-17132"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-134"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2018-03-05T19:29:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Huawei VP9660 V500R002C10 has a uncontrolled format string vulnerability when the license module output the log information. An authenticated local attacker could exploit this vulnerability to cause a denial of service.",
"id": "GHSA-78f6-722x-3325",
"modified": "2022-05-14T03:35:26Z",
"published": "2022-05-14T03:35:26Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-17132"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.huawei.com/en/psirt/security-advisories/2017/huawei-sa-20171206-01-license-en"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-78V8-2MCW-XGCF
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-11-20 21:30 – Updated: 2025-11-20 21:30Improper neutralisation of format characters in the settings of Revive Adserver 5.5.2 and 6.0.1 and earlier versions causes an administrator user to disable the admin user console due to a fatal PHP error.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-52666"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-134"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-11-20T20:16:22Z",
"severity": "LOW"
},
"details": "Improper neutralisation of format characters in the settings of Revive Adserver 5.5.2 and 6.0.1 and earlier versions causes an administrator user to disable the admin user console due to a fatal PHP error.",
"id": "GHSA-78v8-2mcw-xgcf",
"modified": "2025-11-20T21:30:32Z",
"published": "2025-11-20T21:30:32Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-52666"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://hackerone.com/reports/3399218"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-79H3-Q6M5-2593
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 19:06 – Updated: 2022-05-24 19:06In Weidmueller Industrial WLAN devices in multiple versions an exploitable format string vulnerability exists in the iw_console conio_writestr functionality. A specially crafted time server entry can cause an overflow of the time server buffer, resulting in remote code execution. An attacker can send commands while authenticated as a low privilege user to trigger this vulnerability.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-33535"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-134"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2021-06-25T19:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "In Weidmueller Industrial WLAN devices in multiple versions an exploitable format string vulnerability exists in the iw_console conio_writestr functionality. A specially crafted time server entry can cause an overflow of the time server buffer, resulting in remote code execution. An attacker can send commands while authenticated as a low privilege user to trigger this vulnerability.",
"id": "GHSA-79h3-q6m5-2593",
"modified": "2022-05-24T19:06:16Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T19:06:16Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-33535"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://cert.vde.com/en-us/advisories/vde-2021-026"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-7C2R-G494-H73X
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-08-27 12:30 – Updated: 2026-08-27 12:30In CodeMeter Runtime before versions 8.41a and 9.10, the logger does not sanitize input strings in certain cases, allowing an attacker to inject printf-style format specifiers. This can be used to reliably crash CodeMeter and disclose sensitive information such as process memory and stack canaries. The attack works locally, for example by using cmu --set-proxy to set the proxy value, and remotely when combined with CVE-2026-81573 by setting General.ProxyServer and then triggering this vulnerability.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-81574"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-134"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-08-27T10:16:40Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "In CodeMeter Runtime before versions 8.41a and 9.10, the logger does not sanitize input strings in certain cases, allowing an attacker to inject printf-style format\nspecifiers. This can be used to reliably crash CodeMeter and disclose sensitive information such as process memory\nand stack canaries. The attack works locally, for example by using cmu --set-proxy to set the proxy value, and\nremotely when combined with CVE-2026-81573 by setting General.ProxyServer and then triggering this\nvulnerability.",
"id": "GHSA-7c2r-g494-h73x",
"modified": "2026-08-27T12:30:26Z",
"published": "2026-08-27T12:30:26Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-81574"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://cdn.wibu.com/fileadmin/wibu_downloads/security_advisories/AdvisoryWIBU-103401.pdf"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-7CV6-R593-WVW4
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-11-22 21:32 – Updated: 2025-09-23 15:31A use of externally-controlled format string vulnerability has been reported to affect several QNAP operating system versions. If exploited, the vulnerability could allow remote attackers who have gained administrator access to obtain secret data or modify memory.
We have already fixed the vulnerability in the following versions: QTS 5.2.1.2930 build 20241025 and later QuTS hero h5.2.1.2929 build 20241025 and later
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-50399"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-134"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-11-22T16:15:33Z",
"severity": "LOW"
},
"details": "A use of externally-controlled format string vulnerability has been reported to affect several QNAP operating system versions. If exploited, the vulnerability could allow remote attackers who have gained administrator access to obtain secret data or modify memory.\n\nWe have already fixed the vulnerability in the following versions:\nQTS 5.2.1.2930 build 20241025 and later\nQuTS hero h5.2.1.2929 build 20241025 and later",
"id": "GHSA-7cv6-r593-wvw4",
"modified": "2025-09-23T15:31:05Z",
"published": "2024-11-22T21:32:15Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-50399"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.qnap.com/en/security-advisory/qsa-24-43"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:H/AT:N/PR:H/UI:N/VC:L/VI:L/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X",
"type": "CVSS_V4"
}
]
}
GHSA-7FXJ-FR3V-R9GJ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-11-04 19:01 – Updated: 2022-11-24 01:13TiDB server (importer CLI tool) prior to version 6.4.0 & 6.1.3 is vulnerable to data source name injection. The database name for generating and inserting data into a database does not properly sanitize user input which can lead to arbitrary file reads."
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "Go",
"name": "github.com/pingcap/tidb"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"last_affected": "6.1.2"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "Go",
"name": "github.com/pingcap/tidb"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "6.2.0"
},
{
"last_affected": "6.4.0-alpha1"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-3023"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-134"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2022-11-04T20:48:44Z",
"nvd_published_at": "2022-11-04T12:15:00Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "TiDB server (importer CLI tool) prior to version 6.4.0 \u0026 6.1.3 is vulnerable to data source name injection. The database name for generating and inserting data into a database does not properly sanitize user input which can lead to arbitrary file reads.\"",
"id": "GHSA-7fxj-fr3v-r9gj",
"modified": "2022-11-24T01:13:44Z",
"published": "2022-11-04T19:01:17Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-3023"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/pingcap/tidb/commit/d0376379d615cc8f263a0b17c031ce403c8dcbfb"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://advisory.dw1.io/45"
},
{
"type": "PACKAGE",
"url": "https://github.com/pingcap/tidb"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://huntr.dev/bounties/120f1346-e958-49d0-b66c-0f889a469540"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
],
"summary": "TiDB vulnerable to Use of Externally-Controlled Format String"
}
GHSA-7GQ6-CQ68-8842
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-09-01 21:31 – Updated: 2026-09-01 21:31A format string vulnerability exists in the command line interface of AOS-CX that could lead to unauthenticated remote code execution. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability results in the ability to execute arbitrary code as a privileged user on the underlying operating system.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-73782"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-134"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-09-01T21:18:45Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A format string vulnerability exists in the command line interface of AOS-CX that could lead to unauthenticated remote code execution. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability results in the ability to execute arbitrary code as a privileged user on the underlying operating system.",
"id": "GHSA-7gq6-cq68-8842",
"modified": "2026-09-01T21:31:52Z",
"published": "2026-09-01T21:31:52Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-73782"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.hpe.com/hpesc/public/docDisplay?docId=hpesbnw05134en_us\u0026docLocale=en_US"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
Mitigation
Choose a language that is not subject to this flaw.
Mitigation
Ensure that all format string functions are passed a static string which cannot be controlled by the user, and that the proper number of arguments are always sent to that function as well. If at all possible, use functions that do not support the %n operator in format strings. [REF-116] [REF-117]
Mitigation
Run compilers and linkers with high warning levels, since they may detect incorrect usage.
CAPEC-135: Format String Injection
An adversary includes formatting characters in a string input field on the target application. Most applications assume that users will provide static text and may respond unpredictably to the presence of formatting character. For example, in certain functions of the C programming languages such as printf, the formatting character %s will print the contents of a memory location expecting this location to identify a string and the formatting character %n prints the number of DWORD written in the memory. An adversary can use this to read or write to memory locations or files, or simply to manipulate the value of the resulting text in unexpected ways. Reading or writing memory may result in program crashes and writing memory could result in the execution of arbitrary code if the adversary can write to the program stack.
CAPEC-67: String Format Overflow in syslog()
This attack targets applications and software that uses the syslog() function insecurely. If an application does not explicitely use a format string parameter in a call to syslog(), user input can be placed in the format string parameter leading to a format string injection attack. Adversaries can then inject malicious format string commands into the function call leading to a buffer overflow. There are many reported software vulnerabilities with the root cause being a misuse of the syslog() function.