Description
The check_secret function in authenticate.c in rsync 3.1.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop and CPU consumption) via a user name which does not exist in the secrets file.
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 | 3.1.0-3 | — |
| Debian 13 | rsync | 3.1.0-3 | — |
| Debian 12 | rsync | 3.1.0-3 | — |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | rsync | 3.1.0-2ubuntu0.1 | USN-2171-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | rsync | 3.1.2-1.5 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10548-1 |
Advisories 2
- USN-2171-1 rsync vulnerability Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Feb 10, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10548-1 rsync-3.1.2-1.5 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- https://git.samba.org/?p=rsync.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=0dedfbce2c1b851684ba658861fe9d620636c56a
- USN-2171-1 vendor-advisory
- openSUSE-SU-2014:0595 vendor-advisory
- [oss-security] 20140414 CVE Request: rsync denial of service mailing-list
- 57948 third-party-advisory
- FEDORA-2014-5315 vendor-advisory
- https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/rsync/+bug/1307230
- MDVSA-2015:131 vendor-advisory
- https://bugzilla.samba.org/show_bug.cgi?id=10551
- http://advisories.mageia.org/MGASA-2015-0065.html
- [oss-security] 20140415 Re: CVE Request: rsync denial of service mailing-list