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Vulnerabilities

Vulnerability · CVE-2017-16544

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, doe…

Published Nov 20, 2017 · catalog updated Jun 17, 2026 · the affected product

Last checked Nov 2, 2026. A connected source was read within the last 7 days.

Check if you run it

No confirmed exploitation is on record for CVE-2017-16544. EPSS is 6.14%. Act only if a listed version of the affected product is installed.

Gaps on this record

  • No plain product name is stored. The page cannot tell you which product to check.
  • No vendor fix or required action is stored. Compare the linked advisory before you change production.

Same product and reporting

Severity
High8.8
Known exploitation
Not in CISA/VulnCheck KEV
EPSS
6.14%
Remediation
Version ranges on file
Affected products
cpe busybox/busybox · cpe debian/debian linux · cpe vmware/esxi

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.

Are you affected?

Enter the version you run. The result uses only the ranges stored on this record.

The check returns affected, not affected, or incomplete. It does not guess a version that is missing from the record.

  • cpe busybox/busybox<= 1.27.2
  • cpe debian/debian linux8.0
  • cpe debian/debian linux9.0
  • cpe vmware/esxi6.0

How to fix CVE-2017-16544

What to do

Three questions, each answered from this record only. Confirm the vendor advisory before you patch.

Should you patch?

No confirmed exploitation is on record for CVE-2017-16544. EPSS is 6.14%. Act only if a listed version of the affected product is installed.

Which versions are affected?

Compare what you have installed with debian/debian linux 8.0; debian/debian linux 9.0. Compare the installed version with the linked vendor advisory before you change production.

What should an analyst verify?

CWE-94: Code Injection. EPSS 6.14%. There is no CISA KEV listing. No Exploit-DB or Metasploit reference is linked. Use the source links for the original advisory.

Code

The project this record applies to. Exploit listings stay in References.

No public source repository is identified for this product.

Timeline

Detection, updates, and resolution for this record.

  1. Nov 20, 2017 · Monitored products — critical

    Detected

    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.

  2. Jun 17, 2026 · Monitored products — critical

    Updated

    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.

Sources

  • CVE.orgVulnerability recordCVE-2017-16544

    Official CVE identifier

    cve.org
  • Monitored products — criticalVendor advisoryCVE-2017-16544

    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.

    nvd.nist.gov
  • AlienVault OTXThreat intelligenceCVE-2017-16544
    otx.alienvault.com
  • Packet Storm SecurityCited referencehttp://packetstormsecurity.com/files/154361/Cisco-Device-Hardcoded-Credentials-GNU-glibc-BusyBox.html

    Packet Storm link already published on the finding.

    packetstormsecurity.com
  • Packet Storm SecurityCited referencehttp://packetstormsecurity.com/files/154536/VMware-Security-Advisory-2019-0013.html

    Packet Storm link already published on the finding.

    packetstormsecurity.com
  • Packet Storm SecurityCited referencehttp://packetstormsecurity.com/files/167552/Nexans-FTTO-GigaSwitch-Outdated-Components-Hardcoded-Backdoor.html

    Packet Storm link already published on the finding.

    packetstormsecurity.com

References

Freshness

Last verified in this catalog Nov 1, 2026. Significant claims (KEV, EPSS, CVSS, affected ranges) come from the source rows above — open the original publisher for the authoritative advisory.

  • CVE.orgNov 2, 2026
  • AlienVault OTXNov 1, 2026
  • Packet Storm SecurityNov 1, 2026
  • Packet Storm SecurityNov 1, 2026
  • Packet Storm SecurityNov 1, 2026
  • Monitored products — criticalNov 1, 2026