Description
The DHCP client (udhcpc) in BusyBox before 1.20.0 allows remote DHCP servers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the (1) HOST_NAME, (2) DOMAIN_NAME, (3) NIS_DOMAIN, and (4) TFTP_SERVER_NAME host name options.
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 | busybox | 1:1.20.0-3 | — |
| Debian 13 | busybox | 1:1.20.0-3 | — |
| Debian 12 | busybox | 1:1.20.0-3 | — |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 6 | busybox +1 | 1:1.15.1-15.el6 | RHSA-2012:0810 |
| RHEL 5 | busybox +1 | 1:1.2.0-13.el5 | RHSA-2012:0308 |
Advisories 3
- RHSA-2012:0810 Red Hat Security Advisory: busybox security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- RHSA-2012:0308 Red Hat Security Advisory: busybox security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- VDE-2019-013 WAGO: Multiple Vulnerabilities in industrial managed switches CERT@VDE · Jun 12, 2019
References
- http://downloads.avaya.com/css/P8/documents/100158840
- http://www.busybox.net/news.html
- 45363 third-party-advisory
- https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-21994
- https://bugs.busybox.net/show_bug.cgi?id=3979
- RHSA-2012:0810 vendor-advisory
- 48879 vdb-entry
- MDVSA-2012:129 vendor-advisory
- 20190612 SEC Consult SA-20190612-0 :: Multiple vulnerabilities in WAGO 852 Industrial Managed Switch Series mailing-list
- 20190613 SEC Consult SA-20190612-0 :: Multiple vulnerabilities in WAGO 852 Industrial Managed Switch Series mailing-list
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/153278/WAGO-852-Industrial-Managed-Switch-Series-Code-Execution-Hardcoded-Credentials.html
- 20200827 SEC Consult SA-20200827-0 :: Multiple Vulnerabilities in ZTE mobile Hotspot MS910S mailing-list