CVE-2012-2252: Incomplete blacklist vulnerability in rssh before 2.3.4, when the rsync protocol is enabled, allows local user

Q: How do I fix CVE-2012-2252?

rssh: upgrade to newer than 2.3.3. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2012-2252 being exploited?

CVE-2012-2252 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2012-2252 affect?

CVE-2012-2252 affects rssh. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.4). Incomplete blacklist vulnerability in rssh before 2.3.4, when the rsync protocol is enabled, allows local users to bypass intended restricted shell access via the --rsh command line option.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2012-2252?

Priority 28/100. On your watchlist

Routine

MEDIUM 4.4WATCHLISTUPGRADE

CVE-2012-2252 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.4) affecting rssh. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Incomplete blacklist vulnerability in rssh before 2.3.4, when the rsync protocol is enabled, allows local users to bypass intended restricted shell access via the --rsh command line option.

Why this priority

On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	4.4 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 70%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2013-01-11
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): Debian GNU/Linux · Vendor: pizzashack

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2013-01-11 01:55 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:41 UTCUpdated Record last modified

pizzashack rssh UPGRADE

Affected: <= 2.3.3 · 2.0.0 · 2.0.1 · 2.0.2 · 2.0.3 · 2.0.4 · 2.1.0 · 2.1.1

Fixed in: newer than 2.3.3

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 2.3.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade rssh

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade rssh

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

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-2012-2252?

rssh: upgrade to newer than 2.3.3. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2012-2252 being exploited?

CVE-2012-2252 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-2012-2252 affect?

CVE-2012-2252 affects rssh. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.4). Incomplete blacklist vulnerability in rssh before 2.3.4, when the rsync protocol is enabled, allows local users to bypass intended restricted shell access via the --rsh command line option.

How urgent is CVE-2012-2252?

Priority 28/100. 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-2012-2251 MEDIUM 4.4 DOWNGRADE rssh 2.3.2, as used by Debian, Fedora, and others, when the rsync protocol is enabled, allows local users to b

References

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