CVE-2017-7480: rkhunter versions before 1.4.4 are vulnerable to file download over insecure channel when doing mirror update

Q: How do I fix CVE-2017-7480?

rootkit hunter: upgrade to newer than 1.4.2. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2017-7480 being exploited?

CVE-2017-7480 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-2017-7480 affect?

CVE-2017-7480 affects rootkit hunter. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). rkhunter versions before 1.4.4 are vulnerable to file download over insecure channel when doing mirror update resulting into potential remote code execution.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2017-7480?

Priority 60/100. Critical severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

This week

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2017-7480 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting rootkit hunter. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

rkhunter versions before 1.4.4 are vulnerable to file download over insecure channel when doing mirror update resulting into potential remote code execution.

Why this priority

Critical severity
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	2.4% (top 16%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-300, CWE-417
Published	2017-07-21
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Red Hat, Inc. · Vendor: rootkit hunter project

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2017-07-21 22:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 01:24 UTCUpdated Record last modified

rootkit hunter project rootkit hunter UPGRADE

Affected: <= 1.4.2

Fixed in: newer than 1.4.2

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy rootkit-hunter || rpm -q rootkit-hunter || rootkit-hunter --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 1.4.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade rootkit-hunter

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade rootkit-hunter

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-2017-7480?

rootkit hunter: upgrade to newer than 1.4.2. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2017-7480 being exploited?

CVE-2017-7480 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-2017-7480 affect?

CVE-2017-7480 affects rootkit hunter. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). rkhunter versions before 1.4.4 are vulnerable to file download over insecure channel when doing mirror update resulting into potential remote code execution.

How urgent is CVE-2017-7480?

Priority 60/100. Critical severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

References

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