OpenSSH's server component (sshd) has a race condition flaw (CVE-2024-6387), enabling unauthenticated remote code execution on glibc-based Linux systems.
Attackers exploit the flaw to gain root privileges, execute arbitrary code, bypass security mechanisms, steal data, and maintain persistent access, posing severe risks to affected systems.
Named CVE-2024-6387, this regression vulnerability affects OpenSSH versions 8.5p1 to 9.7p1, potentially impacting millions of exposed servers globally.
A resurgence of CVE-2006-5051, reintroduced in October 2020, underscores the persistent challenge of mitigating historical vulnerabilities in software updates.
While affecting glibc-based Linux systems primarily, potential impacts on macOS and Windows remain unconfirmed, necessitating further analysis for conclusive exploitation scenarios.
Exploiting the flaw involves a time-intensive process, requiring up to 8 hours and thousands of authentication attempts, limiting widespread opportunistic attacks.
Users are advised to apply the latest patches promptly, enforce network-based SSH access controls, and implement strict network segmentation to mitigate exposure and lateral movement risks.
Security experts stress the importance of rigorous regression testing in software development to prevent inadvertent reintroduction of vulnerabilities.