CVE-2024-32487: less through 653 allows OS command execution via a newline character in the name of a file, because quoting is

Q: How do I fix CVE-2024-32487?

less: upgrade to newer than 653; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; bootstrap os: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2024-32487 being exploited?

CVE-2024-32487 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-2024-32487 affect?

CVE-2024-32487 affects less, debian linux, bootstrap os. Severity is high (CVSS 8.6). less through 653 allows OS command execution via a newline character in the name of a file, because quoting is mishandled in filename.c. Exploitation typically requires use with attacker-controlled file names, such as the files extracted fr

Q: How urgent is CVE-2024-32487?

Priority 48/100. High severity; On your watchlist

This month

HIGH 8.6WATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2024-32487 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.6) affecting less, debian linux, bootstrap os. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

less through 653 allows OS command execution via a newline character in the name of a file, because quoting is mishandled in filename.c. Exploitation typically requires use with attacker-controlled file names, such as the files extracted from an untrusted archive. Exploitation also requires the LESSOPEN environment variable, but this is set by default in many common cases.

Why this priority

High severity
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	8.6 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	0.6% (top 50%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-96
Published	2024-04-13
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: debian · greenwoodsoftware · netapp

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2024-04-13 15:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 07:29 UTCUpdated Record last modified

greenwoodsoftware less UPGRADE

Affected: <= 653

Fixed in: newer than 653

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 653 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade less

Note

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

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 10.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 10.0

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.

netapp bootstrap os 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.

netapp hci storage nodes MITIGATE

Affected: all versions

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy hci-storage-nodes || rpm -q hci-storage-nodes || hci-storage-nodes --version

No fixed or unaffected release known

Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory, disable the affected feature, or restrict network access.

netapp solidfire MITIGATE

Affected: all versions

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

No fixed or unaffected release known

Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory, disable the affected feature, or restrict network access.

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-2024-32487?

less: upgrade to newer than 653; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; bootstrap os: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2024-32487 being exploited?

CVE-2024-32487 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-2024-32487 affect?

CVE-2024-32487 affects less, debian linux, bootstrap os. Severity is high (CVSS 8.6). less through 653 allows OS command execution via a newline character in the name of a file, because quoting is mishandled in filename.c. Exploitation typically requires use with attacker-controlled file names, such as the files extracted fr

How urgent is CVE-2024-32487?

Priority 48/100. High severity; On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities · Bootstrap vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2022-48624 HIGH 7.8 UPGRADE close_altfile in filename.c in less before 606 omits shell_quote calls for LESSCLOSE.

References

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