Description
The parse_arguments function in options.c in rsyncd in rsync before 3.1.3 does not prevent multiple --protect-args uses, which allows remote attackers to bypass an argument-sanitization protection mechanism.
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 | 3.1.2-2.2 | — |
| Debian 13 | rsync | 3.1.2-2.2 | — |
| Debian 12 | rsync | 3.1.2-2.2 | — |
| Debian 9 | rsync | 3.1.2-1+deb9u3 | DLA-2833-1 |
| Debian 8 | rsync | 3.1.1-3+deb8u2 | DLA-1725-1 |
Show 1 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 7 | rsync | 3.0.9-4+deb7u2 | DLA-1247-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | rsync | 3.1.1-3ubuntu1.2 | USN-3543-1 |
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | rsync | 3.1.0-2ubuntu0.4 | USN-3543-1 |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 12 SP3 | rsync | 3.1.0-13.10.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:0174-1 |
| SLES 12 SP2 | rsync | 3.1.0-13.10.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:0174-1 |
| SLES 11 SP4 | rsync | 3.0.4-2.53.6.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:0172-1 |
Show 3 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES for SAP 12 SP3 | rsync | 3.1.0-13.10.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:0174-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP2 | rsync | 3.1.0-13.10.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:0174-1 |
| SLES for SAP 11 SP4 | rsync | 3.0.4-2.53.6.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:0172-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | rsync | 3.2.3-2.6 | openSUSE-SU-2024:11308-1 |
Alpine
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine v3.7 | rsync | 3.1.3-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.6 | rsync | 3.1.3-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.5 | rsync | 3.1.3-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.4 | rsync | 3.1.3-r0 | — |
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.
GitHub 1 repository
-
waleedadam360-web/SyncShield ★ 0 · Sep 10, 2025
SyncShield - Browser Extension to Detect Unsafe Rsync Commands (CVE-2018-5764)
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 7
- DLA-2833-1 rsync - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DLA-1725-1 rsync - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DLA-1247-1 rsync - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- USN-3543-1 rsync vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Feb 10, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2018:0172-1 Security update for rsync SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2018:0174-1 Security update for rsync SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:11308-1 rsync-3.2.3-2.6 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- [debian-lts-announce] 20180119 [SECURITY] [DLA 1247-1] rsync security update mailing-list
- https://git.samba.org/rsync.git/?p=rsync.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=7706303828fcde524222babb2833864a4bd09e07
- 1040276 vdb-entry
- USN-3543-1 vendor-advisory
- GLSA-201805-04 vendor-advisory
- 102803 vdb-entry
- https://download.samba.org/pub/rsync/src-previews/rsync-3.1.3pre1-NEWS
- [debian-lts-announce] 20190324 [SECURITY] [DLA 1725-1] rsync security update mailing-list
- [debian-lts-announce] 20211130 [SECURITY] [DLA 2833-1] rsync security update mailing-list