CVE-2004-1161: rssh 2.2.2 and earlier does not properly restrict programs that can be run, which could allow remote authentic

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HIGH 7.5WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2004-1161 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting rssh, linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

rssh 2.2.2 and earlier does not properly restrict programs that can be run, which could allow remote authenticated users to bypass intended access restrictions and execute arbitrary programs via (1) rdist -P, (2) rsync, or (3) scp -S.

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 6%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	7.3% (top 6%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2005-01-10
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: gentoo · rssh

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2005-01-10 05:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:07 UTCUpdated Record last modified

rssh rssh DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.0 · 2.1 · 2.2 · 2.2.1 · 2.2.2

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.

gentoo linux MITIGATE

Affected: all versions

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

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: RSSH 2.x - Arbitrary Command Execution

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-2004-1161?

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

Is CVE-2004-1161 being exploited?

CVE-2004-1161 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-2004-1161 affect?

CVE-2004-1161 affects rssh, linux. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). rssh 2.2.2 and earlier does not properly restrict programs that can be run, which could allow remote authenticated users to bypass intended access restrictions and execute arbitrary programs via (1) rdist -P, (2) rsync, or (3) scp -S.

How urgent is CVE-2004-1161?

Priority 60/100. High severity; EPSS top 6%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Related CVEs

CVE-2019-3464 CRITICAL 9.8 DOWNGRADE MITIGATE Insufficient sanitization of environment variables passed to rsync can bypass the restrictions imposed by rssh
CVE-2019-3463 CRITICAL 9.8 DOWNGRADE MITIGATE Insufficient sanitization of arguments passed to rsync can bypass the restrictions imposed by rssh, a restrict
CVE-2019-1000018 HIGH 7.8 DOWNGRADE MITIGATE rssh version 2.3.4 contains a CWE-77: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command
CVE-2012-3478 LOW 2.1 UPGRADE rssh 2.3.3 and earlier allows local users to bypass intended restricted shell access via crafted environment v
CVE-2012-2252 MEDIUM 4.4 UPGRADE Incomplete blacklist vulnerability in rssh before 2.3.4, when the rsync protocol is enabled, allows local user

References

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