CVE-2002-0048: Multiple signedness errors (mixed signed and unsigned numbers) in the I/O functions of rsync 2.4.6, 2.3.2, and

This week

HIGH 10.0DOWNGRADE

CVE-2002-0048 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 10.0) affecting rsync. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Multiple signedness errors (mixed signed and unsigned numbers) in the I/O functions of rsync 2.4.6, 2.3.2, and other versions allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service and execute arbitrary code in the rsync client or server.

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 2%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	10.0 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	34.0% (top 2%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2002-02-27
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: andrew tridgell

Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2002-02-27 05:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 21:56 UTCUpdated Record last modified

andrew tridgell rsync DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.3.1 · 2.3.2 · 2.3.2_1.2 · 2.4.1 · 2.4.3 · 2.4.4 · 2.4.6 · 2.5.0_1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.3.1

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy rsync || rpm -q rsync || rsync --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.3.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison rsync sudo apt install rsync=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.3.1> sudo apt-mark hold rsync

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list rsync sudo dnf downgrade rsync-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.3.1> sudo dnf versionlock add rsync

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Exploit-DB: rsync 2.3/2.4/2.5 - Signed Array Index Remote Code Execution
Exploit-DB: rsync 2.5.1 - Remote (1)
Exploit-DB: rsync 2.5.1 - Remote (2)

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2002-0048?

rsync: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2002-0048 being exploited?

CVE-2002-0048 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2002-0048 affect?

CVE-2002-0048 affects rsync. Severity is high (CVSS 10.0). Multiple signedness errors (mixed signed and unsigned numbers) in the I/O functions of rsync 2.4.6, 2.3.2, and other versions allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service and execute arbitrary code in the rsync client or server.

How urgent is CVE-2002-0048?

Priority 65/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 2%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-41035 HIGH 7.4 UPGRADE In rsync 3.0.1 through 3.4.1, receive_xattr relies on an untrusted length value during a qsort call, leading t
CVE-2026-53791 CRITICAL 9.1 UPGRADE rsync daemon before 3.5.0 contains an IP address spoofing vulnerability that allows unauthenticated remote att
CVE-2026-70461 HIGH 8.2 UPGRADE rsync 3.2.5 before 3.5.0 contains a heap out-of-bounds write vulnerability that allows remote unauthenticated
CVE-2026-70455 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE rsync 3.4.2 before 3.5.0 contains a denial of service vulnerability that allows a remote sender to exhaust sys
CVE-2026-53795 HIGH 8.1 UPGRADE rsync before 3.5.0 contains an arbitrary file write vulnerability that allows attackers to write files outside

References

← Back to latest CVEs