CVE-2023-51385
What it is
In ssh in OpenSSH before 9.6, OS command injection might occur if a user name or host name has shell metacharacters, and this name is referenced by an expansion token in certain situations. For example, an untrusted Git repository can have a submodule with shell metacharacters in a user name or host name.
At a glance
- Exploitability
- Can be exploited over the network without logging in. Limited direct impact.
- Exploit odds
- 19.8% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS). Higher than most.
- Fix
- A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.
Timeline
- PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
- Last updatedMost recent change to the record
Why it ranks here
- Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
- Exploit odds: 19.8% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Severity: 6.5 MEDIUM (CVSS).
- Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.
Details
- Published
- Last modified
- Exploit probability
- 19.8% · EPSS, next 30 days
- Weakness
- CWE-78 · OS command injection
- Record status
- Modified
Affected
- Openbsd OpenSSH < 9.6
- Debian Linux 10.0
- Debian Linux 11.0
- Debian Linux 12.0
Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 6.5
- Attack vector
- Network
- Complexity
- Low
- Privileges needed
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Scope
- Unchanged
- Confidentiality
- Low
- Integrity
- Low
- Availability
- None
Raw vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N
Is it in your code?
Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.
Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2023-51385.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2023-51385. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.
Fix and advisories
- https://github.com/openssh/openssh-portable/commit/7ef3787c84b6b524501211b11a26c742f829af1a
- https://github.com/openssh/openssh-portable/commit/7ef3787c84b6b524501211b11a26c742f829af1a
References
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Mar/21
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/12/26/4
- https://github.com/openssh/openssh-portable/commit/7ef3787c84b6b524501211b11a26c742f829af1a
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/12/msg00017.html
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202312-17
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20240105-0005/
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214084
- https://vin01.github.io/piptagole/ssh/security/openssh/libssh/remote-code-execution/2023/12/20/openssh-proxycommand-libssh-rce.html
- https://www.debian.org/security/2023/dsa-5586
- https://www.openssh.com/txt/release-9.6
- https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/12/18/2
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Mar/21
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/12/26/4
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/10/07/1
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/10/12/1
- https://github.com/openssh/openssh-portable/commit/7ef3787c84b6b524501211b11a26c742f829af1a
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/12/msg00017.html
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202312-17
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20240105-0005/
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214084
- https://vin01.github.io/piptagole/ssh/security/openssh/libssh/remote-code-execution/2023/12/20/openssh-proxycommand-libssh-rce.html
- https://www.debian.org/security/2023/dsa-5586
- https://www.openssh.com/txt/release-9.6
- https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/12/18/2
- https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-082556.html