CVE-2004-0609: rssh 2.0 through 2.1.x expands command line arguments before entering a chroot jail, which allows remote authe

Routine

MEDIUM 5.0DOWNGRADE

CVE-2004-0609 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.0) affecting rssh. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

rssh 2.0 through 2.1.x expands command line arguments before entering a chroot jail, which allows remote authenticated users to determine the existence of files in a directory outside the jail.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.0 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	1.4% (top 27%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2004-12-06
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: rssh

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2004-12-06 05:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:05 UTCUpdated Record last modified

rssh rssh DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.0 · 2.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison rssh sudo apt install rssh=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0> sudo apt-mark hold rssh

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

dnf --showduplicates list rssh sudo dnf downgrade rssh-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0> sudo dnf versionlock add rssh

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.

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-2004-0609?

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

Is CVE-2004-0609 being exploited?

CVE-2004-0609 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-2004-0609 affect?

CVE-2004-0609 affects rssh. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.0). rssh 2.0 through 2.1.x expands command line arguments before entering a chroot jail, which allows remote authenticated users to determine the existence of files in a directory outside the jail.

How urgent is CVE-2004-0609?

Priority 36/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

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References

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