BusyBox up to 1.27.2 Terminal libbb/lineedit.c add_match Escape Sequence code injection

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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7.4$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in BusyBox up to 1.27.2. It has been rated as critical. The affected element is the function add_match of the file libbb/lineedit.c of the component Terminal. This manipulation as part of Escape Sequence causes code injection. This vulnerability appears as CVE-2017-16544. The attack may be initiated remotely. There is no available exploit. Upgrading the affected component is advised.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in BusyBox up to 1.27.2. It has been declared as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is the function add_match of the file libbb/lineedit.c of the component Terminal. The manipulation as part of a Escape Sequence leads to a code injection vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-94. The product constructs all or part of a code segment using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the syntax or behavior of the intended code segment. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

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.

The bug was discovered 11/20/2017. The weakness was presented 11/20/2017 by Matt (Website). The advisory is shared at git.busybox.net. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2017-16544 since 11/05/2017. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploitation doesn't need any form of authentication. It demands that the victim is doing some kind of user interaction. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available. MITRE ATT&CK project uses the attack technique T1059 for this issue.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 108627 (GLSA-201803-12 : BusyBox: Multiple vulnerabilities), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family Gentoo Local Security Checks and running in the context l. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 197418 (Ubuntu Security Notification for Busybox Vulnerabilities (USN-3935-1)).

Upgrading eliminates this vulnerability. A possible mitigation has been published 5 months after the disclosure of the vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Tenable (108627) and SecurityFocus (BID 72324†). See VDB-96755, VDB-96756, VDB-97860 and VDB-104922 for similar entries. Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.6
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.4

VulDB Base Score: 6.3
VulDB Temp Score: 6.0
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 8.8
NVD Vector: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Code injection
CWE: CWE-94 / CWE-74 / CWE-707
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 108627
Nessus Name: GLSA-201803-12 : BusyBox: Multiple vulnerabilities
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍
Nessus Context: 🔍

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

Reaction Time: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔍
Exposure Time: 🔍

Patch: git.busybox.net

Timelineinfo

01/27/2015 🔍
11/05/2017 +1013 days 🔍
11/20/2017 +15 days 🔍
11/20/2017 +0 days 🔍
11/20/2017 +0 days 🔍
11/21/2017 +1 days 🔍
03/26/2018 +125 days 🔍
03/27/2018 +1 days 🔍
06/09/2025 +2631 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Advisory: 154361
Researcher: Matthias Krause (Matt)
Status: Confirmed
Confirmation: 🔍

CVE: CVE-2017-16544 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2017-16544
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-109753
SecurityFocus: 72324 - BusyBox CVE-2014-9645 Local Security Bypass Vulnerability

See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 11/21/2017 07:48
Updated: 06/09/2025 19:00
Changes: 11/21/2017 07:48 (69), 12/09/2019 08:44 (14), 01/24/2021 21:44 (2), 01/11/2023 08:09 (4), 01/11/2023 08:14 (1), 06/09/2025 19:00 (15)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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