CVE-2017-16548

Name: CVE-2017-16548
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2017-11-06T05:29:00.253+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

CRITICALCVSS 9.8/10EPSS 5.16%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2017-16548 is a critical-severity vulnerability rated 9.8/10 on the CVSS scale. The receive_xattr function in xattrs.c in rsync 3.1.2 and 3.1.3-development does not check for a trailing '\0' character in an xattr name, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (heap-based buffer over-read and application crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact by sending crafted data to the daemon.. EPSS estimates a 5.16% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

The receive_xattr function in xattrs.c in rsync 3.1.2 and 3.1.3-development does not check for a trailing '\0' character in an xattr name, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (heap-based buffer over-read and application crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact by sending crafted data to the daemon.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

9.8/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

5.16%

91.4th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-125

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Samba	Rsync	> 2.6.9, <= 3.1.2
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	12.04
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	14.04
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	16.04
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	17.10
Debian	Debian Linux	7.0
Debian	Debian Linux	8.0
Debian	Debian Linux	9.0

References

https://bugzilla.samba.org/show_bug.cgi?id=13112Issue Tracking
https://git.samba.org/rsync.git/?p=rsync.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=47a63d90e71d3e19e0e96052bb8c6b9cb140ecc1
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2017/12/msg00020.htmlThird Party Advisory
https://usn.ubuntu.com/3543-1/Third Party Advisory
https://usn.ubuntu.com/3543-2/Third Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2017/dsa-4068Third Party Advisory
https://bugzilla.samba.org/show_bug.cgi?id=13112Issue Tracking
https://git.samba.org/rsync.git/?p=rsync.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=47a63d90e71d3e19e0e96052bb8c6b9cb140ecc1
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2017/12/msg00020.htmlThird Party Advisory
https://usn.ubuntu.com/3543-1/Third Party Advisory
https://usn.ubuntu.com/3543-2/Third Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2017/dsa-4068Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Nov 6, 2017
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2017-16548?

How severe is CVE-2017-16548?

CVE-2017-16548 has a CVSS score of 9.8/10 (CRITICAL severity). The EPSS model estimates a 5.16% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2017-16548?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2017-16548?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST