CVE-2017-16544
CWE-94Published: November 20, 2017· Updated: Jun 17, 2026
Official Description
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.
Technical Analysis
CVE-2017-16544 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.
Exploitation requires low privileges, which limits the exposure to scenarios where an attacker has already gained initial access.
A successful exploit results in complete confidentiality breach (data exposure), full integrity compromise (data manipulation), availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 8.8.
CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown
Affected Vendors & Products
Exploit & PoC Resources
Official Patches & Advisories
All References (40)
Quick Facts
Related CVEs (CWE-94)
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2017-16544 in threat intel feeds
- →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts