Description
In NetKit through 0.17, rcp.c in the rcp client allows remote rsh servers to bypass intended access restrictions via the filename of . or an empty filename. The impact is modifying the permissions of the target directory on the client side. This is similar to CVE-2018-20685.
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 12 | netkit-rsh | 0.17-20 | — |
| Debian 9 | netkit-rsh | 0.17-17+deb9u1 | DLA-2822-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | netkit-rsh | 0.17-17ubuntu0.1 | USN-5327-1 |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | netkit-rsh | No fix yet | — |
Advisories 2
- USN-5327-1 netkit-rsh vulnerability Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Apr 27, 2026
- DLA-2822-1 netkit-rsh - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- https://bugs.debian.org/920486
- https://sintonen.fi/advisories/scp-client-multiple-vulnerabilities.txt
- [debian-lts-announce] 20211118 [SECURITY] [DLA 2822-1] netkit-rsh security update mailing-list
- FEDORA-2022-dd808b5a2c vendor-advisory
- FEDORA-2022-6748ae617b vendor-advisory
- FEDORA-2022-82a6236ac7 vendor-advisory