Description
Buffer overflow in the open_socket_out function in socket.c for rsync 2.5.7 and earlier allows local users to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a long RSYNC_PROXY environment variable. NOTE: since rsync is not setuid, this issue does not provide any additional privileges beyond those that are already available to the user. Therefore this issue may be REJECTED in the future.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | rsync | 2.6.1-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | rsync | 2.6.1-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | rsync | 2.6.1-1 | — |
Public exploits
Exploit or proof-of-concept code for this vulnerability is publicly available, which lowers the bar for attackers. Treat it as a reason to patch sooner.
Exploit-DB 1
- rsync 2.5.7 - Local Stack Overflow / Local Privilege Escalation EDB-152 · local · Feb 13, 2004 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.