CVE catalog

CVE-2020-5211

nethack: CVE-2020-5211

Severity: Low
Published: Jan 28, 2020, 7:15:00 PM UTC
Source: [NVD] · [CVE record]
EPSS: 1.08% · Oct 25, 2026

In NetHack before 3.6.5, an invalid extended command in value for the AUTOCOMPLETE configuration file option can cause a buffer overflow resulting in a crash or remote code execution/privilege escalation. This vulnerability affects systems that have NetHack installed suid/sgid and shared systems that allow users to upload their own configuration files. Users should upgrade to NetHack 3.6.5.

Vulnerable and fixed packages

Distribution-reported package versions and fixes. These do not depend on matching against the OpenFactory package catalog.

Distribution	Package	Release	Version	Status
Debian	nethack	sid	`3.6.7-4`	fixed
Debian	nethack	forky	`3.6.7-4`	fixed
Debian	nethack	trixie	`3.6.7-1`	fixed
Debian	nethack	bookworm	`3.6.6-3`	fixed
Ubuntu	nethack	16.04	`3.4.3-15`	vulnerable
Ubuntu	nethack	16.04	`3.4.3-15build1`	vulnerable
Ubuntu	nethack	18.04	`3.6.0-4`	vulnerable
Ubuntu	nethack	20.04	`3.6.1-1`	vulnerable

Fixed-version evidence

Distribution	Package	Type	Release	Fixed version	Urgency	Origin	Bugs
Debian	nethack	source	sid	`3.6.6-1`	unimportant	Not reported	Not reported
Debian	nethack	source	forky	`3.6.6-1`	unimportant	Not reported	Not reported
Debian	nethack	source	trixie	`3.6.6-1`	unimportant	Not reported	Not reported
Debian	nethack	source	bookworm	`3.6.6-1`	unimportant	Not reported	Not reported

OpenFactory catalog packages

[Debian 12 (Bookworm)]

[nethack-common]Fixed
Source package: [nethack]
Details (2)
- 3.6.6-3+b2 · amd64 · bookworm
  Fixed · Fixed: 3.6.6-1
  dsa · nethack · debian · bookworm; dsa · nethack · debian · 12
- 3.6.6-3+b2 · arm64 · bookworm
  Fixed · Fixed: 3.6.6-1
  dsa · nethack · debian · bookworm; dsa · nethack · debian · 12
[nethack-console]Fixed
Source package: [nethack]
Details (2)
- 3.6.6-3+b2 · amd64 · bookworm
  Fixed · Fixed: 3.6.6-1
  dsa · nethack · debian · bookworm; dsa · nethack · debian · 12
- 3.6.6-3+b2 · arm64 · bookworm
  Fixed · Fixed: 3.6.6-1
  dsa · nethack · debian · bookworm; dsa · nethack · debian · 12
[nethack-qt]Fixed
Source package: [nethack]
Details (2)
- 3.6.6-3+b2 · amd64 · bookworm
  Fixed · Fixed: 3.6.6-1
  dsa · nethack · debian · bookworm; dsa · nethack · debian · 12
- 3.6.6-3+b2 · arm64 · bookworm
  Fixed · Fixed: 3.6.6-1
  dsa · nethack · debian · bookworm; dsa · nethack · debian · 12
[nethack-x11]Fixed
Source package: [nethack]
Details (2)
- 3.6.6-3+b2 · amd64 · bookworm
  Fixed · Fixed: 3.6.6-1
  dsa · nethack · debian · bookworm; dsa · nethack · debian · 12
- 3.6.6-3+b2 · arm64 · bookworm
  Fixed · Fixed: 3.6.6-1
  dsa · nethack · debian · bookworm; dsa · nethack · debian · 12

[Debian 13 (Trixie)]

[nethack-common]Fixed
Source package: [nethack]
Details (2)
- 3.6.7-1+b2 · amd64 · trixie
  Fixed · Fixed: 3.6.6-1
  dsa · nethack · debian · 13
- 3.6.7-1+b4 · arm64 · trixie
  Fixed · Fixed: 3.6.6-1
  dsa · nethack · debian · 13
[nethack-console]Fixed
Source package: [nethack]
Details (2)
- 3.6.7-1+b2 · amd64 · trixie
  Fixed · Fixed: 3.6.6-1
  dsa · nethack · debian · 13
- 3.6.7-1+b4 · arm64 · trixie
  Fixed · Fixed: 3.6.6-1
  dsa · nethack · debian · 13
[nethack-qt]Fixed
Source package: [nethack]
Details (2)
- 3.6.7-1+b2 · amd64 · trixie
  Fixed · Fixed: 3.6.6-1
  dsa · nethack · debian · 13
- 3.6.7-1+b4 · arm64 · trixie
  Fixed · Fixed: 3.6.6-1
  dsa · nethack · debian · 13
[nethack-x11]Fixed
Source package: [nethack]
Details (2)
- 3.6.7-1+b2 · amd64 · trixie
  Fixed · Fixed: 3.6.6-1
  dsa · nethack · debian · 13
- 3.6.7-1+b4 · arm64 · trixie
  Fixed · Fixed: 3.6.6-1
  dsa · nethack · debian · 13

Observed: Oct 23, 2026, 5:52:49 PM UTC

References

[Debian Security Tracker] · [FIRST EPSS] · [OSV Package Vulnerability Database]