CVE-2024-12087: nixos Path Traversal — Exploit

Description

A path traversal vulnerability exists in rsync. It stems from behavior enabled by the `--inc-recursive` option, a default-enabled option for many client options and can be enabled by the server even if not explicitly enabled by the client. When using the `--inc-recursive` option, a lack of proper symlink verification coupled with deduplication checks occurring on a per-file-list basis could allow a server to write files outside of the client's intended destination directory. A malicious server could write malicious files to arbitrary locations named after valid directories/paths on the client.

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CVSS v3.1 Score

6.5

MEDIUM

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

Weakness Type (CWE)

CWE-22 Path Traversal

Affected Products

Vendor	Product	Versions
samba	rsync	< 3.3.0
almalinux	almalinux	All
almalinux	almalinux	All
almalinux	almalinux	All
archlinux	arch_linux	All
gentoo	linux	All
nixos	nixos	< 24.11
suse	suse_linux	All
tritondatacenter	smartos	< 20250123
redhat	enterprise_linux	All
redhat	enterprise_linux	All
redhat	enterprise_linux_eus	All
redhat	enterprise_linux_for_arm_64	All
redhat	enterprise_linux_for_arm_64	All
redhat	enterprise_linux_for_arm_64_eus	All
redhat	enterprise_linux_for_ibm_z_systems	All
redhat	enterprise_linux_for_ibm_z_systems	All
redhat	enterprise_linux_for_ibm_z_systems_eus	All
redhat	enterprise_linux_for_power_little_endian	All
redhat	enterprise_linux_for_power_little_endian	All
redhat	enterprise_linux_for_power_little_endian_eus	All
redhat	enterprise_linux_server_aus	All
redhat	enterprise_linux_server_for_power_little_endian_update_services_for_sap_solutions	All
redhat	enterprise_linux_update_services_for_sap_solutions	All

References

Exploits

https://github.com/google/security-research/security/advisories/GHSA-p5pg-x43v-mvqj

Other References

https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHBA-2025:6470 https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2025:23154 https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2025:23235 https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2025:23407 https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2025:23415 https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2025:23416 https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2025:23842 https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2025:23853 https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2025:23854 https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2025:23858

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2024-12087? +

A path traversal vulnerability exists in rsync. It stems from behavior enabled by the `--inc-recursive` option, a default-enabled option for many client options and can be enabled by the server even if not explicitly enabled by the client. When using the `--inc-recursive` option, a lack of proper symlink verification coupled with deduplication checks occurring on a per-file-list basis could allow a server to write files outside of the client's intended destination directory. A malicious server could write malicious files to arbitrary locations named after valid directories/paths on the client. It has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.5 (MEDIUM).

How severe is CVE-2024-12087? +

CVE-2024-12087 has a CVSS v3.1 score of 6.5 out of 10, rated MEDIUM. This is a medium-severity vulnerability that should be remediated as part of regular maintenance.

What products are affected by CVE-2024-12087? +

CVE-2024-12087 affects products from almalinux, archlinux, gentoo, nixos, redhat, samba, suse, tritondatacenter, specifically: almalinux, arch_linux, enterprise_linux, enterprise_linux_eus, enterprise_linux_for_arm_64, enterprise_linux_for_arm_64_eus, enterprise_linux_for_ibm_z_systems, enterprise_linux_for_ibm_z_systems_eus, enterprise_linux_for_power_little_endian, enterprise_linux_for_power_little_endian_eus, enterprise_linux_server_aus, enterprise_linux_server_for_power_little_endian_update_services_for_sap_solutions, enterprise_linux_update_services_for_sap_solutions, linux, nixos, rsync, smartos, suse_linux. Check the affected products table above for specific version ranges.

How do I check if I'm vulnerable to CVE-2024-12087? +

You can use Secably's free Website Scanner to check your website for known vulnerabilities. For infrastructure scanning, use the Port Scanner to identify exposed services that may be affected. Check the vendor advisories linked above for specific patch and version information.

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