Back

CVE-2004-2264

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

Published: Dec 31, 2004 Modified: Jun 16, 2026

CVSS Metrics

Affected Products (3)

Vendor Product Version
gnu less 358
gnu less 381
gnu less 382

GitHub Security Advisory GHSA-2wff-r89p-gqg6

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

Risk Scores

CVSS Score 6.4 / 10
EPSS Score 2.03%

Top 21% most likely to be exploited

Threat Score 26.2 / 100

Data Sources

NVD EPSS GitHub