Security Update for exuberant-ctags

exuberant-ctags Updated 02 Oct 2025

Summary

04/10/2014
N/A
Yes i
Unrated
Not published

DSA-3042-1: exuberant-ctags - security update. Affects exuberant-ctags versions < 1:5.9~svn20110310-4+deb7u1. Fixed in 1:5.9~svn20110310-4+deb7u1. How to fix ↓

Free scan

Check if this vulnerability affects your application

Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.

Check my app free

No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds

Upload your dependency manifest or SBOM

Drag & drop your file here or

Java Javascript PHP Python Go Rust Ruby Dart C/C++ Elixir CycloneDX SPDX

Upload a supported dependency manifest or SBOM. No installation or source-code access required.

See supported files and SBOM formats
SBOM sbom.json · bom.json · bom.xml · *.spdx.json · *.cdx.json · *.cdx.xml
Java pom.xml · gradle.lockfile · buildscript-gradle.lockfile
Javascript package-lock.json · yarn.lock · pnpm-lock.yaml
PHP composer.lock
Python poetry.lock · requirements.txt · Pipfile.lock
Go go.mod
Rust Cargo.lock
Ruby Gemfile.lock
Dart pubspec.lock
C/C++ conan.lock
Elixir mix.lock
Enter your work email to receive your report link.

Verify your email to view the full report and start 30 days of continuous monitoring. No credit card required.

Sponsored Devnack Mobile apps built by Devnack Design, build and launch iOS and Android apps with a senior product team. From idea to store release Start a project

Background

exuberant-ctags is a tool used to build tag file indexes of source code definitions. It is commonly used by developers to navigate and search through large codebases. The tool parses source code files and generates an index file that allows users to quickly jump to specific definitions within the code. However, a vulnerability has been discovered in exuberant-ctags that can lead to a denial of service (DoS) attack.

Vulnerability Detail

The vulnerability in exuberant-ctags is triggered by certain JavaScript files. When these files are processed by ctags, it enters an infinite loop until it runs out of disk space. This can result in a DoS condition, where the system becomes unresponsive due to excessive resource consumption. The impact of this vulnerability can be severe, as it can disrupt the normal operation of the affected system.

How To Fix

Minimum fixed version

1:5.9~svn20110310-4+deb7u1

This is the first release that contains the fix.

sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade exuberant-ctags

Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →

Workaround

There is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is necessary to apply the security update to mitigate the risk of a DoS attack.

Conclusion

The vulnerability in exuberant-ctags can lead to a denial of service (DoS) attack. To mitigate this risk, it is important to upgrade the exuberant-ctags package to the latest version. No workaround is available for this vulnerability. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.

See every vulnerability recorded for exuberant-ctags →

Share this vulnerability

FAQ

exuberant-ctags is a tool used to build tag file indexes of source code definitions. It helps developers navigate and search through large codebases.

The vulnerability can lead to a denial of service (DoS) attack, causing the affected system to become unresponsive.

To fix this vulnerability, you need to upgrade the exuberant-ctags package to version 1:5.9~svn20110310-4+deb7u1 or later.

No, there is no known workaround for this vulnerability. Applying the security update is the recommended solution.

You can find more information about this vulnerability in the Debian Security Advisory DSA-3042-1.

Related vulnerabilities

Recent vulnerabilities recorded for exuberant-ctags.

How To Fix

Minimum fixed version

1:5.9~svn20110310-4+deb7u1

This is the first release that contains the fix.

sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade exuberant-ctags

Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →

Subscribe to Vulert on Telegram
Daily digest of new CVEs, critical and high severity, affected packages and fixes — plus a weekly roundup.
Join the channel →
Help improve this record
Report an issue or send feedback