CVE-2012-3478: rssh 2.3.3 and earlier allows local users to bypass intended restricted shell access via crafted environment v

Q: How do I fix CVE-2012-3478?

rssh: upgrade to newer than 2.3.2. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2012-3478 being exploited?

CVE-2012-3478 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-2012-3478 affect?

CVE-2012-3478 affects rssh. Severity is low (CVSS 2.1). rssh 2.3.3 and earlier allows local users to bypass intended restricted shell access via crafted environment variables in the command line.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2012-3478?

Priority 16/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Routine

LOW 2.1UPGRADE

CVE-2012-3478 is a low-severity flaw (CVSS 2.1) affecting rssh. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

rssh 2.3.3 and earlier allows local users to bypass intended restricted shell access via crafted environment variables in the command line.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	2.1 (Low)
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 67%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-264
Published	2012-08-31
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): Red Hat, Inc. · Vendor: pizzashack

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2012-08-31 18:55 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:43 UTCUpdated Record last modified

pizzashack rssh UPGRADE

Affected: <= 2.3.2 · 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 2.3.2

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 2.3.2 (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-2012-3478?

rssh: upgrade to newer than 2.3.2. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2012-3478 being exploited?

CVE-2012-3478 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-2012-3478 affect?

CVE-2012-3478 affects rssh. Severity is low (CVSS 2.1). rssh 2.3.3 and earlier allows local users to bypass intended restricted shell access via crafted environment variables in the command line.

How urgent is CVE-2012-3478?

Priority 16/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

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-2012-2252 MEDIUM 4.4 UPGRADE Incomplete blacklist vulnerability in rssh before 2.3.4, when the rsync protocol is enabled, allows local user
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

← Back to latest CVEs