CVE-2017-16544
Description
In the add_match function in libbb/lineedit.c in BusyBox through 1.27.2, the tab autocomplete feature of the shell, used to get a list of filenames in a directory, does not sanitize filenames and results in executing any escape sequence in the terminal. This could potentially result in code execution, arbitrary file writes, or other attacks.
Predictions
Heuristic predictions, AS-IS, for prioritization only.
Mitigations
No mitigations published for this CVE yet.
The vendor-content worker queues fetches as references arrive (check back in a few minutes). Or — if you've already worked around this in production — publish your fix to the community-verified tier.
✚ Propose a mitigation on Community → Mitigations published via the community go through AI scoring + 2 human reviewers + 7-day silent objection window before landing here withsource_tier=community-verified.
OS impact
SUSE Affected 1 release
| Version | Status | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| — | Affected | — |
Ubuntu Affected 2 releases
| Version | Status | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| 16.04 | Affected | — |
| 14.04 | Affected | — |
Debian Mixed 7 releases
| Version | Status | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| trixie | Fixed | 1:1.27.2-2 |
| sid | Fixed | 1:1.27.2-2 |
| forky | Fixed | 1:1.27.2-2 |
| bullseye | Fixed | 1:1.27.2-2 |
| bookworm | Fixed | 1:1.27.2-2 |
| 9.0 | Affected | — |
| 8.0 | Affected | — |
Arch Fixed 1 release
| Version | Status | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| — | Fixed | 1.28.1-1 |
Application impact
| Vendor | Product | Versions | Fixed |
|---|---|---|---|
| busybox | busybox | {"endIncluding":"1.27.2"} | |
References
- https://security.archlinux.org/ASA-201803-2
- https://security.archlinux.org/ASA-201803-1
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/154361/Cisco-Device-Hardcoded-Credentials-GNU-glibc-BusyBox.html
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/154536/VMware-Security-Advisory-2019-0013.html
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/167552/Nexans-FTTO-GigaSwitch-Outdated-Components-Hardcoded-Backdoor.html
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2019/Jun/18
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2019/Sep/7
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/Aug/20
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/Mar/15
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/Sep/6
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2021/Aug/21
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2021/Jan/39
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2022/Jun/36
- http://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2019-0013.html
- https://git.busybox.net/busybox/commit/?id=c3797d40a1c57352192c6106cc0f435e7d9c11e8
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2018/07/msg00037.html
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/02/msg00020.html
- https://seclists.org/bugtraq/2019/Jun/14
- https://seclists.org/bugtraq/2019/Sep/7
- https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ics/advisories/icsa-20-240-01
- https://usn.ubuntu.com/3935-1/
- https://www.twistlock.com/2017/11/20/cve-2017-16544-busybox-autocompletion-vulnerability/
- https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2017-16544
- https://www.suse.com/security/cve/CVE-2017-16544.html
CWEs
CWE-94
Community-verified mitigations for this CVE will appear above when contributors publish them.
Verify integrity in audit chain (admin only). AS-IS.