Description
The RAND_bytes function in libssh before 0.6.3, when forking is enabled, does not properly reset the state of the OpenSSL pseudo-random number generator (PRNG), which causes the state to be shared between children processes and allows local users to obtain sensitive information by leveraging a pid collision.
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 | libssh | 0.5.4-3 | — |
| Debian 13 | libssh | 0.5.4-3 | — |
| Debian 12 | libssh | 0.5.4-3 | — |
| Debian 7 | libssh | 0.5.4-1+deb7u1 | DSA-2879-1 |
| Debian 6.0 | libssh | 0.4.5-3+squeeze2 | DSA-2879-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | libssh | 0.7.2-2.1 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10036-1 |
Advisories 3
- DSA-2879-1 libssh - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10036-1 libssh-devel-0.7.2-2.1 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- WID-SEC-2024-1057 libssh: Schwachstelle ermöglicht Offenlegung von Informationen BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · May 7, 2024
References
- USN-2145-1 vendor-advisory
- DSA-2879 vendor-advisory
- openSUSE-SU-2014:0366 vendor-advisory
- 57407 third-party-advisory
- [oss-security] 20140305 libssh and stunnel PRNG flaws mailing-list
- http://www.libssh.org/2014/03/04/libssh-0-6-3-security-release/
- openSUSE-SU-2014:0370 vendor-advisory
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1072191