Description
The fetch_url function in usr.bin/ftp/fetch.c in tnftp, as used in NetBSD 5.1 through 5.1.4, 5.2 through 5.2.2, 6.0 through 6.0.6, and 6.1 through 6.1.5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a | (pipe) character at the end of an HTTP redirect.
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 | tnftp | 20130505-2 | — |
| Debian 13 | tnftp | 20130505-2 | — |
| Debian 12 | tnftp | 20130505-2 | — |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | tnftp | 20151004-1.3 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10306-1 |
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.
Third-party code, not reviewed by us. Public PoCs are sometimes fake or contain malware. Read the code first and run it only in an isolated lab, against systems you are authorised to test.
Metasploit 1 module
-
tnftp "savefile" Arbitrary Command Execution
exploit/unix/http/tnftp_savefile
Exploit-DB 2
- tnftp - 'savefile' Arbitrary Command Execution (Metasploit) EDB-43112 · remote · Nov 3, 2017 · verified
- tnftp (FreeBSD 8/9/10) - 'tnftp' Client Side EDB-35427 · remote · Dec 2, 2014
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 1
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10306-1 tnftp-20151004-1.3 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- NetBSD-SA2014-013 vendor-advisory
- 62028 third-party-advisory
- 43112 exploit
- [oss-security] 20141028 Re: ftp(1) can be made execute arbitrary commands by malicious webserver mailing-list
- http://support.apple.com/HT204244
- GLSA-201611-05 vendor-advisory
- openSUSE-SU-2014:1383 vendor-advisory
- APPLE-SA-2015-01-27-4 vendor-advisory
- 62260 third-party-advisory
- [oss-security] 20141028 ftp(1) can be made execute arbitrary commands by malicious webserver mailing-list