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CVE-2004-2264

** DISPUTED ** Format string bug in the open_altfile function in filename.c for GNU less 382, 381...

6.4 MediumDisputed

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

2.03%Down 0.8 points since Feb 4, 2022
90%50%10%1%

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 MediumAV: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 MediumAV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:P/A:P
Updated
2026-11-02

Affected products

History

History
RecordedChangedSources
aliasesEUVD
first indexedCVE 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

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