Description
An issue was discovered in OpenAFS before 1.6.23 and 1.8.x before 1.8.2. The backup tape controller (butc) process accepts incoming RPCs but does not require (or allow for) authentication of those RPCs. Handling those RPCs results in operations being performed with administrator credentials, including dumping/restoring volume contents and manipulating the backup database. For example, an unauthenticated attacker can replace any volume's content with arbitrary data.
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 13 | openafs | 1.8.2-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | openafs | 1.8.2-1 | — |
| Debian 9 | openafs | 1.6.20-2+deb9u2 | DSA-4302-1 |
| Debian 8 | openafs | 1.6.9-2+deb8u8 | DLA-1513-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | openafs | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | openafs | No fix yet | — |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | openafs | 1.8.8-1.13 | openSUSE-SU-2024:11113-1 |
Advisories 3
- DSA-4302-1 openafs - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DLA-1513-1 openafs - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:11113-1 openafs-1.8.8-1.13 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026