CVE-2004-2264
** DISPUTED ** Format string bug in the open_altfile function in filename.c for GNU less 382, 381...
Format string bug in the open_altfile function in filename.c for GNU less 382, 381, and 358 might allow local users to cause a denial of service or possibly execute arbitrary code via format strings in the LESSOPEN environment variable. NOTE: since less is not setuid or setgid, then this is not a vulnerability unless there are plausible scenarios under which privilege boundaries could be crossed
Exploit likelihood
What each source reports
NVD Score used
6.4
Format string bug in the open_altfile function in filename.c for GNU less 382, 381, and 358 might allow local users to cause a denial of service or possibly execute arbitrary code via format strings in the LESSOPEN environment variable. NOTE: since less is not setuid or setgid, then this is not a vulnerability unless there are plausible scenarios under which privilege boundaries could be crossed
- Record
CVE-2004-2264- CVSS 2.0
- 6.4 Medium
AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:P/A:P - Updated
- 2026-11-02
CVE List No score
Format string bug in the open_altfile function in filename.c for GNU less 382, 381, and 358 might allow local users to cause a denial of service or possibly execute arbitrary code via format strings in the LESSOPEN environment variable. NOTE: since less is not setuid or setgid, then this is not a vulnerability unless there are plausible scenarios under which privilege boundaries could be crossed
- Record
CVE-2004-2264- Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2004-2256 No score
Format string bug in the open_altfile function in filename.c for GNU less 382, 381, and 358 might allow local users to cause a denial of service or possibly execute arbitrary code via format strings in the LESSOPEN environment variable. NOTE: since less is not setuid or setgid, then this is not a vulnerability unless there are plausible scenarios under which privilege boundaries could be crossed
- Record
EUVD-2004-2256- Updated
- 2026-11-03
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-2wff-r89p-gqg6 No score
** DISPUTED ** Format string bug in the open_altfile function in filename.c for GNU less 382, 381...
** DISPUTED ** Format string bug in the open_altfile function in filename.c for GNU less 382, 381, and 358 might allow local users to cause a denial of service or possibly execute arbitrary code via format strings in the LESSOPEN environment variable. NOTE: since less is not setuid or setgid, then this is not a vulnerability unless there are plausible scenarios under which privilege boundaries could be crossed.
- Record
GHSA-2wff-r89p-gqg6- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVBELL-CVE-2004-2264
6.4
CVE-2004-2264 does not affect BellSoft software
- Record
BELL-CVE-2004-2264- CVSS 2.0
- 6.4 Medium
AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:P/A:P - Updated
- 2026-11-02
Affected products
History
| Recorded | Changed | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| aliases | EUVD | |
| first indexed | CVE List, GitHub Advisories, NVD, OSV |
Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.
In short
CVE-2004-2264 is a medium vulnerability (CVSS 6.4) in Gnu Less, published December 31, 2004. Its validity is disputed. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 2.03%, the 81st percentile.
References
osvdb.org/9014
securitytracker.com/id?1010988
exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/17032
archives.neohapsis.com/archives/fulldisclosure/2004-08/0794.html
archives.neohapsis.com/archives/fulldisclosure/2004-08/0811.html
nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2004-2264
github.com/advisories/GHSA-2wff-r89p-gqg6
docs.bell-sw.com/security/cves/CVE-2004-2264