CWE-134
AllowedUse of Externally-Controlled Format String
Abstraction: Base · Status: Draft
The product uses a function that accepts a format string as an argument, but the format string originates from an external source.
501 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-47PM-RHM6-W3XC
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-02 03:47 – Updated: 2022-05-02 03:47VMware Authentication Daemon 1.0 in vmware-authd.exe in the VMware Authorization Service in VMware Workstation 7.0 before 7.0.1 build 227600 and 6.5.x before 6.5.4 build 246459, VMware Player 3.0 before 3.0.1 build 227600 and 2.5.x before 2.5.4 build 246459, VMware ACE 2.6 before 2.6.1 build 227600 and 2.5.x before 2.5.4 build 246459, and VMware Server 2.x allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (process crash) via a \x25\xFF sequence in the USER and PASS commands, related to a "format string DoS" issue. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2009-3707"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-134"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2009-10-16T16:30:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "VMware Authentication Daemon 1.0 in vmware-authd.exe in the VMware Authorization Service in VMware Workstation 7.0 before 7.0.1 build 227600 and 6.5.x before 6.5.4 build 246459, VMware Player 3.0 before 3.0.1 build 227600 and 2.5.x before 2.5.4 build 246459, VMware ACE 2.6 before 2.6.1 build 227600 and 2.5.x before 2.5.4 build 246459, and VMware Server 2.x allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (process crash) via a \\x25\\xFF sequence in the USER and PASS commands, related to a \"format string DoS\" issue. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.",
"id": "GHSA-47pm-rhm6-w3xc",
"modified": "2022-05-02T03:47:48Z",
"published": "2022-05-02T03:47:48Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2009-3707"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/bugtraq/2010-04/0077.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/fulldisclosure/2010-04/0121.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.vmware.com/pipermail/security-announce/2010/000090.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/36988"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/39206"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/39215"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-201209-25.xml"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://securitytracker.com/id?1022997"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/36630"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.shinnai.net/exploits/abFwcLOuFqmD20yqhYpQ.txt"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.shinnai.net/index.php?mod=02_Forum\u0026group=02_Bugs_and_Exploits\u0026argument=01_Remote\u0026topic=1254924405.ff.php"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.shinnai.net/xplits/TXT_JtYUv6C6j5b6Bw6iIkF4.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2010-0007.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-488X-JPC9-9C55
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 01:17 – Updated: 2022-05-17 01:17NetApp Data ONTAP before 8.2.5 and 8.3.x before 8.3.2P12 allow remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service via vectors related to unsafe user input string handling.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2016-1895"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-134"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2017-09-01T21:29:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "NetApp Data ONTAP before 8.2.5 and 8.3.x before 8.3.2P12 allow remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service via vectors related to unsafe user input string handling.",
"id": "GHSA-488x-jpc9-9c55",
"modified": "2022-05-17T01:17:02Z",
"published": "2022-05-17T01:17:02Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-1895"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://kb.netapp.com/support/s/article/NTAP-20170831-0003"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-4CRP-JH2P-XG7W
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-02 03:42 – Updated: 2022-05-02 03:42Multiple format string vulnerabilities in lib/silcclient/command.c in Secure Internet Live Conferencing (SILC) Toolkit before 1.1.10, and SILC Client 1.1.8 and earlier, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via format string specifiers in a channel name, related to (1) silc_client_command_topic, (2) silc_client_command_kick, (3) silc_client_command_leave, and (4) silc_client_command_users.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2009-3163"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-134"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2009-09-10T21:30:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Multiple format string vulnerabilities in lib/silcclient/command.c in Secure Internet Live Conferencing (SILC) Toolkit before 1.1.10, and SILC Client 1.1.8 and earlier, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via format string specifiers in a channel name, related to (1) silc_client_command_topic, (2) silc_client_command_kick, (3) silc_client_command_leave, and (4) silc_client_command_users.",
"id": "GHSA-4crp-jh2p-xg7w",
"modified": "2022-05-02T03:42:12Z",
"published": "2022-05-02T03:42:12Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2009-3163"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/36614"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://silcnet.org/docs/changelog/SILC%20Toolkit%201.1.10"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://silcnet.org/general/news/news_toolkit.php"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.debian.org/security/2009/dsa-1879"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2009:234"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2009:235"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/08/31/5"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/09/03/5"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/36193"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-4F5H-WCJ8-92W2
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-01 17:59 – Updated: 2025-04-09 03:40Untrusted search path vulnerability in the add_filename_to_string function in intl/gettext/loadmsgcat.c for Elinks 0.11.1 allows local users to cause Elinks to use an untrusted gettext message catalog (.po file) in a "../po" directory, which can be leveraged to conduct format string attacks.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2007-2027"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-134"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2007-04-13T18:19:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Untrusted search path vulnerability in the add_filename_to_string function in intl/gettext/loadmsgcat.c for Elinks 0.11.1 allows local users to cause Elinks to use an untrusted gettext message catalog (.po file) in a \"../po\" directory, which can be leveraged to conduct format string attacks.",
"id": "GHSA-4f5h-wcj8-92w2",
"modified": "2025-04-09T03:40:13Z",
"published": "2022-05-01T17:59:22Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2007-2027"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugzilla.redhat.com/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=235411"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A9741"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=417789"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://osvdb.org/35668"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/25169"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/25198"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/25255"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/25550"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200706-03.xml"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/23844"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.trustix.org/errata/2007/0017"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/usn-457-1"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2007/1686"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-4GMJ-9M2M-6H5F
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-06-12 00:31 – Updated: 2026-06-16 15:33An authenticated format string vulnerability exists in the ONVIF service of Tapo C110 v2 due to improper handling of user-controlled input. Externally controlled data is interpreted as a format string, which can be used to manipulate stack memory, including control flow data such as return addresses.
A remote authenticated attacker may redirect execution flow to existing internal functions, triggering an unauthorized factory reset, leading to loss of configuration, deletion of stored credentials and service disruption.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-6250"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-134"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-06-11T22:16:57Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "An\nauthenticated format string vulnerability exists in the ONVIF service of Tapo\nC110 v2 due to improper handling of user-controlled input.\u00a0 Externally controlled data is interpreted as\na format string, which can be used to manipulate stack memory, including\ncontrol flow data such as return addresses.\n\n\n\n\n\nA remote\nauthenticated attacker may redirect execution flow to existing internal\nfunctions, triggering an unauthorized factory reset, leading to loss of\nconfiguration, deletion of stored credentials and service disruption.",
"id": "GHSA-4gmj-9m2m-6h5f",
"modified": "2026-06-16T15:33:42Z",
"published": "2026-06-12T00:31:56Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-6250"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.tp-link.com/en/support/download/tapo-c110/v2/#Firmware-Release-Notes"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.tp-link.com/kr/support/download/tapo-c110/v2/#Firmware-Release-Notes"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.tp-link.com/us/support/download/tapo-c110/v2/#Firmware-Release-Notes"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.tp-link.com/us/support/faq/5128"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:A/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:N/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X",
"type": "CVSS_V4"
}
]
}
GHSA-4MH5-HW23-J38H
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-02 00:00 – Updated: 2022-05-02 00:00Format string vulnerability in the window_error function in yelp-window.c in yelp in Gnome after 2.19.90 and before 2.24 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via format string specifiers in an invalid URI on the command line, as demonstrated by use of yelp within (1) man or (2) ghelp URI handlers in Firefox, Evolution, and unspecified other programs.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2008-3533"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-134"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2008-08-18T17:41:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Format string vulnerability in the window_error function in yelp-window.c in yelp in Gnome after 2.19.90 and before 2.24 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via format string specifiers in an invalid URI on the command line, as demonstrated by use of yelp within (1) man or (2) ghelp URI handlers in Firefox, Evolution, and unspecified other programs.",
"id": "GHSA-4mh5-hw23-j38h",
"modified": "2022-05-02T00:00:58Z",
"published": "2022-05-02T00:00:58Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2008-3533"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/yelp/+bug/254860"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/44449"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-package-announce/2008-September/msg00222.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://bugzilla.gnome.org/attachment.cgi?id=115890"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=546364"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2008-11/msg00000.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/31465"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/31620"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/31834"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/32629"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2008:175"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/30690"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/usn-638-1"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2008/2393"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-4MX8-G966-23VM
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-10-25 19:00 – Updated: 2022-10-27 19:00Four format string injection vulnerabilities exist in the UPnP logging functionality of Abode Systems, Inc. iota All-In-One Security Kit 6.9Z and 6.9X. A specially-crafted UPnP negotiation can lead to memory corruption, information disclosure, and denial of service. An attacker can host a malicious UPnP service to trigger these vulnerabilities.This vulnerability arises from format string injection via errorCode and errorDescription XML tags, as used within the DoUpdateUPnPbyService action handler.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-35881"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-134"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-10-25T17:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Four format string injection vulnerabilities exist in the UPnP logging functionality of Abode Systems, Inc. iota All-In-One Security Kit 6.9Z and 6.9X. A specially-crafted UPnP negotiation can lead to memory corruption, information disclosure, and denial of service. An attacker can host a malicious UPnP service to trigger these vulnerabilities.This vulnerability arises from format string injection via `errorCode` and `errorDescription` XML tags, as used within the `DoUpdateUPnPbyService` action handler.",
"id": "GHSA-4mx8-g966-23vm",
"modified": "2022-10-27T19:00:32Z",
"published": "2022-10-25T19:00:28Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-35881"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://talosintelligence.com/vulnerability_reports/TALOS-2022-1583"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-4Q56-RF7G-66XJ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-11-22 21:32 – Updated: 2025-09-23 15:31A use of externally-controlled format string vulnerability has been reported to affect several QNAP operating system versions. If exploited, the vulnerability could allow remote attackers who have gained user access to obtain secret data or modify memory.
We have already fixed the vulnerability in the following versions: QTS 5.2.1.2930 build 20241025 and later QuTS hero h5.2.1.2929 build 20241025 and later
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-50397"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-134"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-11-22T16:15:32Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A use of externally-controlled format string vulnerability has been reported to affect several QNAP operating system versions. If exploited, the vulnerability could allow remote attackers who have gained user access to obtain secret data or modify memory.\n\nWe have already fixed the vulnerability in the following versions:\nQTS 5.2.1.2930 build 20241025 and later\nQuTS hero h5.2.1.2929 build 20241025 and later",
"id": "GHSA-4q56-rf7g-66xj",
"modified": "2025-09-23T15:31:05Z",
"published": "2024-11-22T21:32:15Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-50397"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.qnap.com/en/security-advisory/qsa-24-43"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:H/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X",
"type": "CVSS_V4"
}
]
}
GHSA-4QH3-VW22-FPQ6
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-07-21 09:30 – Updated: 2024-04-04 06:18It is identified a format string vulnerability in ASUS RT-AX56U V2 & RT-AC86U. This vulnerability is caused by lacking validation for a specific value when calling cm_processChangedConfigMsg in ccm_processREQ_CHANGED_CONFIG function in AiMesh system. An unauthenticated remote attacker can exploit this vulnerability without privilege to perform remote arbitrary code execution, arbitrary system operation or disrupt service. This issue affects RT-AX56U V2: 3.0.0.4.386_50460; RT-AC86U: 3.0.0.4_386_51529.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-35087"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-134"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-07-21T08:15:09Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "\nIt is identified a format string vulnerability in ASUS RT-AX56U V2 \u0026 RT-AC86U. This vulnerability is caused by lacking validation for a specific value when calling cm_processChangedConfigMsg in ccm_processREQ_CHANGED_CONFIG function in AiMesh system. An unauthenticated remote attacker can exploit this vulnerability without privilege to perform remote arbitrary code execution, arbitrary system operation or disrupt service.\nThis issue affects RT-AX56U V2: 3.0.0.4.386_50460; RT-AC86U: 3.0.0.4_386_51529.",
"id": "GHSA-4qh3-vw22-fpq6",
"modified": "2024-04-04T06:18:30Z",
"published": "2023-07-21T09:30:55Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-35087"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.twcert.org.tw/tw/cp-132-7249-ab2d1-1.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-4RMG-FPP8-38VV
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-02-09 21:30 – Updated: 2023-02-17 21:30Use of Externally-Controlled Format String vulnerabilities in STST TA prior to SMR Jan-2023 Release 1 allows arbitrary code execution.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-21420"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-134"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-02-09T19:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Use of Externally-Controlled Format String vulnerabilities in STST TA prior to SMR Jan-2023 Release 1 allows arbitrary code execution.",
"id": "GHSA-4rmg-fpp8-38vv",
"modified": "2023-02-17T21:30:40Z",
"published": "2023-02-09T21:30:29Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-21420"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.samsungmobile.com/securityUpdate.smsb?year=2023\u0026month=01"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
Mitigation
Choose a language that is not subject to this flaw.
Mitigation
Ensure that all format string functions are passed a static string which cannot be controlled by the user, and that the proper number of arguments are always sent to that function as well. If at all possible, use functions that do not support the %n operator in format strings. [REF-116] [REF-117]
Mitigation
Run compilers and linkers with high warning levels, since they may detect incorrect usage.
CAPEC-135: Format String Injection
An adversary includes formatting characters in a string input field on the target application. Most applications assume that users will provide static text and may respond unpredictably to the presence of formatting character. For example, in certain functions of the C programming languages such as printf, the formatting character %s will print the contents of a memory location expecting this location to identify a string and the formatting character %n prints the number of DWORD written in the memory. An adversary can use this to read or write to memory locations or files, or simply to manipulate the value of the resulting text in unexpected ways. Reading or writing memory may result in program crashes and writing memory could result in the execution of arbitrary code if the adversary can write to the program stack.
CAPEC-67: String Format Overflow in syslog()
This attack targets applications and software that uses the syslog() function insecurely. If an application does not explicitely use a format string parameter in a call to syslog(), user input can be placed in the format string parameter leading to a format string injection attack. Adversaries can then inject malicious format string commands into the function call leading to a buffer overflow. There are many reported software vulnerabilities with the root cause being a misuse of the syslog() function.