CVE-2014-2855: The check_secret function in authenticate.c in rsync 3.1.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a d...

Security readout for executives and security teams

CVE-2014-2855 is a remote denial-of-service issue in rsync 3.1.0 and earlier. A malformed authentication attempt using a username absent from the secrets file can make rsync loop indefinitely and consume CPU. The sources do not indicate data theft, code execution, or confirmed active exploitation. Systems are most exposed if they run an affected rsync daemon reachable by untrusted networks and use secrets-file authentication. Internal-only backup or file-sync services may still be impacted if reachable by compromised hosts or broad internal user populations. Treat this as a service availability risk. Prioritize internet-facing or business-critical rsync services, especially backup, deployment, or file-transfer workflows. It is less urgent than remote code execution, but exposed systems could be disrupted cheaply if left unpatched. Mitigation focus: Upgrade rsync through supported distro packages or vendor guidance containing the upstream authenticate.c fix.; Restrict rsync daemon access to trusted IP ranges or private networks.; Disable unused rsync modules and remove unnecessary network exposure..

Prepared

Jun 14, 2026, 14:32 UTC (UTC+00:00)

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.