Description
ntpd in ntp before 4.2.8p3 with remote configuration enabled allows remote authenticated users with knowledge of the configuration password and access to a computer entrusted to perform remote configuration to cause a denial of service (service crash) via a NULL byte in a crafted configuration directive packet.
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 11 | ntp | 1:4.2.8p3+dfsg-1 | — |
| Debian 8 | ntp | 1:4.2.6.p5+dfsg-7+deb8u1 | DSA-3388-1 |
| Debian 7 | ntp | 1:4.2.6.p5+dfsg-2+deb7u6 | DSA-3388-1 |
| Debian 6.0 | ntp | 1:4.2.6.p2+dfsg-1+deb6u4 | DLA-335-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | ntp | 1:4.2.6.p5+dfsg-3ubuntu2.14.04.5 | USN-2783-1 |
Advisories 3
- DLA-335-1 ntp - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DSA-3388-1 ntp - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- USN-2783-1 ntp vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Feb 10, 2026
References
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1238136
- 75589 vdb-entry
- GLSA-201509-01 vendor-advisory
- FEDORA-2015-77bfbc1bcd vendor-advisory
- 1034168 vdb-entry
- DSA-3388 vendor-advisory
- http://bugs.ntp.org/show_bug.cgi?id=2853
- FEDORA-2015-14212 vendor-advisory
- FEDORA-2015-14213 vendor-advisory
- http://support.ntp.org/bin/view/Main/SecurityNotice#March_2017_ntp_4_2_8p10_NTP_Secu
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20180731-0003/