CVE-2026-24061
CriticalExploitedPublic exploittelnetd in GNU Inetutils through 2.7 allows remote authentication bypass via a "-f root" value for the USER environment variable.
Published Jan 21, 2026 · Updated Sep 30, 2026 · Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2026-24061, DLA-4453-1, DSA-6106-1, UBUNTU-CVE-2026-24061, USN-7992-1, USN-7992-2
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2026-24061 is a critical-severity vulnerability (CVSS 9.8 v3.1) affecting Inetutils (Gnu), Debian Linux, inetutils-telnet (alpine) and 12 more products.
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Jan 22, 2026 and is known to be used in ransomware campaigns. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 99% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including Inetutils 2.7, Inetutils 2:1.9.4-11ubuntu0.2+esm3, Inetutils 2:1.9.4-1ubuntu0.1~esm5.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
CVSS v3.1
9.8
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
99%
Higher than 99.9% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
Yes
4 catalog listings, used by ransomware
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
Get the full CVE-2026-24061 brief as a PDF
Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.
Description
telnetd in GNU Inetutils through 2.7 allows remote authentication bypass via a "-f root" value for the USER environment variable.
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| CISA KEV | Jan 26, 2026 | Feb 16, 2026 | Not reported |
| Industry KEV feed | Jan 22, 2026 | Feb 16, 2026 | Known |
| CIRCL KEV | Jan 23, 2026 | Feb 16, 2026 | Not reported |
| ENISA EUVD | Jan 26, 2026 | n/a | Not reported |
Required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
Affected Products
97 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| InetutilsGnu | >= 1.9.3 | 2.7 |
| Debian LinuxDebian | 11.0 | n/a |
| inetutils-telnetalpine | See advisory | 2.8-r0 |
| inetutils-ftpdubuntu | See advisory | 2:1.9.4-3ubuntu0.1+esm4 |
| inetutils-ftpubuntu | See advisory | 2:1.9.4-3ubuntu0.1+esm4 |
Patched Releases
Inetutils
2.7, 2:1.9.4-11ubuntu0.2+esm3, 2:1.9.4-1ubuntu0.1~esm5, 2:1.9.4-3ubuntu0.1+esm4, 2:2.0-1+deb11u3, 2:2.0-1+deb11u4, 2:2.2-2ubuntu0.2, 2:2.4-2+deb12u2, 2:2.5-3ubuntu4.1, 2:2.6-1ubuntu3.1, 2:2.6-3+deb13u1, 2:2.7-2
inetutils-ftp
2:1.9.4-11ubuntu0.2+esm3, 2:1.9.4-1ubuntu0.1~esm5, 2:1.9.4-3ubuntu0.1+esm4, 2:2.2-2ubuntu0.2, 2:2.5-3ubuntu4.1, 2:2.6-1ubuntu3.1
inetutils-ftpd
2:1.9.4-11ubuntu0.2+esm3, 2:1.9.4-1ubuntu0.1~esm5, 2:1.9.4-3ubuntu0.1+esm4, 2:2.2-2ubuntu0.2, 2:2.5-3ubuntu4.1, 2:2.6-1ubuntu3.1
inetutils-inetd
2:1.9.4-11ubuntu0.2+esm3, 2:1.9.4-1ubuntu0.1~esm5, 2:1.9.4-3ubuntu0.1+esm4, 2:2.2-2ubuntu0.2, 2:2.5-3ubuntu4.1, 2:2.6-1ubuntu3.1
inetutils-ping
2:1.9.4-11ubuntu0.2+esm3, 2:1.9.4-1ubuntu0.1~esm5, 2:1.9.4-3ubuntu0.1+esm4, 2:2.2-2ubuntu0.2, 2:2.5-3ubuntu4.1, 2:2.6-1ubuntu3.1
inetutils-syslogd
2:1.9.4-11ubuntu0.2+esm3, 2:1.9.4-1ubuntu0.1~esm5, 2:1.9.4-3ubuntu0.1+esm4, 2:2.2-2ubuntu0.2, 2:2.5-3ubuntu4.1, 2:2.6-1ubuntu3.1
inetutils-talk
2:1.9.4-11ubuntu0.2+esm3, 2:1.9.4-1ubuntu0.1~esm5, 2:1.9.4-3ubuntu0.1+esm4, 2:2.2-2ubuntu0.2, 2:2.5-3ubuntu4.1, 2:2.6-1ubuntu3.1
inetutils-talkd
2:1.9.4-11ubuntu0.2+esm3, 2:1.9.4-1ubuntu0.1~esm5, 2:1.9.4-3ubuntu0.1+esm4, 2:2.2-2ubuntu0.2, 2:2.5-3ubuntu4.1, 2:2.6-1ubuntu3.1
inetutils-telnet
2:1.9.4-11ubuntu0.2+esm3, 2:1.9.4-1ubuntu0.1~esm5, 2:1.9.4-3ubuntu0.1+esm4, 2:2.2-2ubuntu0.2, 2:2.5-3ubuntu4.1, 2:2.6-1ubuntu3.1, 2.8-r0
inetutils-telnetd
2:1.9.4-11ubuntu0.2+esm3, 2:1.9.4-1ubuntu0.1~esm5, 2:1.9.4-3ubuntu0.1+esm4, 2:2.2-2ubuntu0.2, 2:2.5-3ubuntu4.1, 2:2.6-1ubuntu3.1
inetutils-tools
2:1.9.4-11ubuntu0.2+esm3, 2:1.9.4-1ubuntu0.1~esm5, 2:1.9.4-3ubuntu0.1+esm4, 2:2.2-2ubuntu0.2, 2:2.5-3ubuntu4.1, 2:2.6-1ubuntu3.1
inetutils-traceroute
2:1.9.4-11ubuntu0.2+esm3, 2:1.9.4-1ubuntu0.1~esm5, 2:1.9.4-3ubuntu0.1+esm4, 2:2.2-2ubuntu0.2, 2:2.5-3ubuntu4.1, 2:2.6-1ubuntu3.1
telnet
0.17+2.5-3ubuntu4.1, 0.17+2.6-1ubuntu3.1
telnetd
0.17+2.5-3ubuntu4.1, 0.17+2.6-1ubuntu3.1
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Jan 21, 2026
Added to Industry KEV feed
Jan 22, 2026
Added to CIRCL KEV
Jan 23, 2026
Added to CISA KEV
Jan 26, 2026
Added to ENISA EUVD
Jan 26, 2026
Last updated
Sep 30, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-88 Improper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters in a Command ('Argument Injection')
References
- advisoryhttps://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2026/01/msg00025.html
- advisoryhttps://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2026-24061
- advisoryhttps://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-24061
- advisoryUSN-7992-1
- advisoryUSN-7992-2
FAQ
Common Questions.
telnetd in GNU Inetutils through 2.7 allows remote authentication bypass via a "-f root" value for the USER environment variable.
Affected: Inetutils (Gnu) versions >= 1.9.3; Debian Linux versions 11.0; inetutils-telnet (alpine), among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Jan 22, 2026 and is known to be used in ransomware campaigns.
Yes. It was added on Jan 26, 2026 with a federal remediation due date of Feb 16, 2026.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including Inetutils 2.7, Inetutils 2:1.9.4-11ubuntu0.2+esm3, Inetutils 2:1.9.4-1ubuntu0.1~esm5.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
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