Over 660k Rsync servers exposed to code execution attacks

Re:Over 660k Rsync servers exposed to code execution attacks by martinbaun on Friday January 17, 2025 @07:26AM (#42736799)

There's something I am missing here. I sync my servers with rsync, but it is over ssh - is this still vulnerable?

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Over 660k Rsync servers exposed to code execution attacks by aesh2Xa1 on Friday January 17, 2025 @09:00AM (#42737567)

If you explicitly use "-e ssh" and don't run a daemon, then these probably don't affect you.

If you don't specify that protocol, though, you have three scenarios:

1. only the local host has the rsync binary 2. both local and remote hosts have the binary, but neither runs them as a daemon 3. both have the binary and the remote runs as the daemon

In #1 you end up using SSH anyway (unless there's also no SSH binary). In #2, a malicious server binary could attack you. In #3, a malicious server binary could attack you.

Also, many of rsync's features rely upon both sides having the binary.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Over 660k Rsync servers exposed to code execution attacks by martinbaun on Friday January 17, 2025 @12:53PM (#42741137)

Wow, thank you - this is exactly what I didn't get. You explained it super well.

I am number 2, and so I guess it wont affect me as long as the fingerprint doesn't change to a malicious server that have taken over an IP.

[ Parent | on HN ]