Description
dhclient in ISC DHCP 3.0.x through 4.2.x before 4.2.1-P1, 3.1-ESV before 3.1-ESV-R1, and 4.1-ESV before 4.1-ESV-R2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in a hostname obtained from a DHCP message, as demonstrated by a hostname that is provided to dhclient-script.
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 13 | isc-dhcp | 4.1.1-P1-16.1 | — |
| Debian 12 | isc-dhcp | 4.1.1-P1-16.1 | — |
| Debian 6.0 | isc-dhcp | 4.1.1-P1-15+squeeze2 | DSA-2216-1 |
| Debian 5.0 | dhcp3 | 3.1.1-6+lenny5 | DSA-2217-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 6 | dhcp +2 | 12:4.1.1-12.P1.el6_0.4 | RHSA-2011:0428 |
| RHEL 5 | dhcp +4 | 12:3.0.5-23.el5_6.4 | RHSA-2011:0428 |
| RHEL 4 | dhcp +2 | 7:3.0.1-67.el4 | RHSA-2011:0428 |
Show 1 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 3 ELS | dhcp +2 | 7:3.0.1-10.3_EL3 | RHSA-2011:0840 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | dhcp | 4.3.3.P1-3.1 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10358-1 |
Advisories 5
- RHSA-2011:0428 Red Hat Security Advisory: dhcp security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-2216-1 isc-dhcp - missing input sanitizing Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DSA-2217-1 dhcp3 - missing input sanitizing Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- RHSA-2011:0840 Red Hat Security Advisory: dhcp security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jan 14, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10358-1 dhcp-4.3.3.P1-3.1 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · May 7, 2025
References
- 47176 vdb-entry
- ADV-2011-0886 vdb-entry
- 44103 third-party-advisory
- RHSA-2011:0840 vendor-advisory
- 44037 third-party-advisory
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=689832
- ADV-2011-0926 vdb-entry
- HPSBMU02752 vendor-advisory
- 44127 third-party-advisory
- MDVSA-2011:073 vendor-advisory
- ADV-2011-0909 vdb-entry
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:12812 vdb-entry signature
- 71493 vdb-entry
- 44090 third-party-advisory
- 44048 third-party-advisory
- FEDORA-2011-4934 vendor-advisory
- https://www.isc.org/software/dhcp/advisories/cve-2011-0997
- iscdhcp-dhclient-command-execution(66580) vdb-entry
- ADV-2011-0879 vdb-entry
- VU#107886 third-party-advisory
- 1025300 vdb-entry
- http://kb.juniper.net/InfoCenter/index?page=content&id=JSA10761
- SSA:2011-097-01 vendor-advisory
- ADV-2011-1000 vdb-entry
- ADV-2011-0915 vdb-entry
- ADV-2011-0965 vdb-entry
- 37623 exploit
- GLSA-201301-06 vendor-advisory
- 44180 third-party-advisory
- DSA-2217 vendor-advisory
- USN-1108-1 vendor-advisory
- DSA-2216 vendor-advisory
- FEDORA-2011-4897 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2011:0428 vendor-advisory
- 44089 third-party-advisory