Description
The ctl_getitem method in ntpd in ntp-4.2.8p6 before 4.2.8p11 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read) via a crafted mode 6 packet with a ntpd instance from 4.2.8p6 through 4.2.8p10.
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 | ntpsec | 1.0.0+dfsg1-5 | — |
| Debian 13 | ntpsec | 1.0.0+dfsg1-5 | — |
| Debian 12 | ntpsec | 1.0.0+dfsg1-5 | — |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | ntp | 1:4.2.8p10+dfsg-5ubuntu7.1 | USN-3707-1 |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | ntp | 1:4.2.8p4+dfsg-3ubuntu5.9 | USN-3707-1 |
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | ntp | 1:4.2.6.p5+dfsg-3ubuntu2.14.04.13 | USN-3707-1 |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 12 SP3 | ntp | 4.2.8p11-64.3.2 | SUSE-SU-2018:1765-1, SUSE-SU-2018:0956-1 |
| SLES 12 SP2 | ntp | 4.2.8p11-64.5.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:1765-2, SUSE-SU-2018:1765-1 |
| SLES 12 SP1 | ntp | 4.2.8p11-64.5.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:1765-1 |
| SLES 12 | ntp | 4.2.8p11-46.26.2 | SUSE-SU-2018:1464-1 |
| SLES 11 SP4 | ntp | 4.2.8p11-64.4.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:0808-1 |
Show 6 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES for SAP 12 SP3 | ntp | 4.2.8p11-64.3.2 | SUSE-SU-2018:1765-1, SUSE-SU-2018:0956-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP2 | ntp | 4.2.8p11-64.5.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:1765-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP1 | ntp | 4.2.8p11-64.5.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:1765-1 |
| SLES for SAP 11 SP4 | ntp | 4.2.8p11-64.4.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:0808-1 |
| SUSE OpenStack Cloud 7 | ntp | 4.2.8p11-64.5.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:1765-1 |
| SUSE Enterprise Storage 4 | ntp | 4.2.8p11-64.5.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:1765-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | ntp | 4.2.8p15-7.2 | openSUSE-SU-2024:11102-1 |
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | ntpsec | 1.2.1-1.2 | openSUSE-SU-2024:11103-1 |
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.
Exploit-DB 1
- ntpd 4.2.8p10 - Out-of-Bounds Read (PoC) EDB-45846 · local · Nov 14, 2018
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 9
- USN-3707-1 ntp vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Feb 10, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2018:1765-2 Security update for ntp SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2018:0956-1 Security update for ntp SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:11102-1 ntp-4.2.8p15-7.2 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:11103-1 libntpc1-1.2.1-1.2 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2018:1765-1 Security update for ntp SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2018:0808-1 Security update for ntp SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2018:1464-1 Security update for ntp SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · May 2, 2025
- VDE-2022-032 AUMA: Multiple Vulnerabilities in Automation Runtime NTP Service CERT@VDE · Aug 9, 2022
References
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/146631/Slackware-Security-Advisory-ntp-Updates.html
- GLSA-201805-12 vendor-advisory
- FreeBSD-SA-18:02 vendor-advisory
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20180626-0001/
- 20180301 [Newsletter/Marketing] [slackware-security] ntp (SSA:2018-060-02) mailing-list
- http://support.ntp.org/bin/view/Main/NtpBug3412
- USN-3707-1 vendor-advisory
- 45846 exploit
- https://www.synology.com/support/security/Synology_SA_18_13
- 103191 vdb-entry
- https://support.hpe.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docLocale=en_US&docId=emr_na-hpesbux03962en_us