CVE-2023-51385
openssh: potential command injection via shell metacharacters
Severity
ModerateRed Hat Product Security
CVSS 3.1
Review impact separately from score.
Published · December 18, 2023
Updated · June 28, 2026
Description
A flaw was found in OpenSSH. In certain circumstances, a remote attacker may be able to execute arbitrary OS commands by using expansion tokens, such as %u or %h, with user names or host names that contain shell metacharacters.
Statement
The ability to execute OS commands is dependent on what quoting is present in the user-supplied ssh_config directive. However, it is generally the user's responsibility to validate arguments passed to SSH.
CVSS score applicability
The CVSS score(s) listed for this vulnerability do not reflect the associated product's status, and are included for informational purposes to better understand the severity of this vulnerability.
Mitigation
Mitigation for this issue is either not available or the currently available options do not meet the Red Hat Product Security criteria comprising ease of use and deployment, applicability to widespread installation base or stability.
CVSS / CWE
CVSS 3.1 · 6.5CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N
CWE-78 · Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')