The "pidfile" or "driftfile" directives in NTP ntpd 4.2.x before 4.2.8p4, and 4.3.x before 4.3.77, when ntpd is configured to allow remote configuration, allows remote attackers with an IP address that is allowed to send configuration requests, and with knowledge of the remote configuration password to write to arbitrary files via the :config command.
This vulnerability carries a HIGH severity rating with a CVSS v3.1 score of 7.5, indicating it can be exploited remotely over the network with relatively low complexity without requiring user interaction and does not require pre-existing privileges . The vulnerability impacts integrity (unauthorized modifications), for affected systems. Impacting 13 products from ntp, from oracle, from debian and 10 others, organizations running these solutions should prioritize assessment and patching.
First disclosed in 2017, this vulnerability was reported during a period defined by widespread IoT adoption challenges, mobile security concerns, and the emergence of advanced persistent threat (APT) techniques. Contemporary mitigation strategies focused on secure development practices and third-party component vetting.
2017-07-24T14:29:00.223
2025-04-20T01:37:25.860
Deferred
CVSSv3.1: 7.5 (HIGH)
AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:N/I:P/A:N
8.6
2.9
| Type | Vendor | Product | Version/Range | Vulnerable? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application | ntp | ntp | < 4.2.8 | Yes |
| Application | ntp | ntp | < 4.3.77 | Yes |
| Application | ntp | ntp | 4.2.8 | Yes |
| Application | ntp | ntp | 4.2.8 | Yes |
| Application | ntp | ntp | 4.2.8 | Yes |
| Application | ntp | ntp | 4.2.8 | Yes |
| Application | ntp | ntp | 4.2.8 | Yes |
| Application | ntp | ntp | 4.2.8 | Yes |
| Application | ntp | ntp | 4.2.8 | Yes |
| Application | ntp | ntp | 4.2.8 | Yes |
| Application | ntp | ntp | 4.2.8 | Yes |
| Application | ntp | ntp | 4.2.8 | Yes |
| Application | ntp | ntp | 4.2.8 | Yes |
| Application | ntp | ntp | 4.2.8 | Yes |
| Application | ntp | ntp | 4.2.8 | Yes |
| Application | ntp | ntp | 4.2.8 | Yes |
| Application | ntp | ntp | 4.2.8 | Yes |
| Application | ntp | ntp | 4.2.8 | Yes |
| Application | ntp | ntp | 4.2.8 | Yes |
| Operating System | oracle | linux | 6 | Yes |
| Operating System | debian | debian_linux | 7.0 | Yes |
| Operating System | debian | debian_linux | 8.0 | Yes |
| Operating System | debian | debian_linux | 9.0 | Yes |
| Application | netapp | oncommand_performance_manager | - | Yes |
| Application | netapp | oncommand_unified_manager | - | Yes |
| Operating System | netapp | clustered_data_ontap | - | Yes |
| Operating System | netapp | data_ontap | - | Yes |
| Operating System | redhat | enterprise_linux_desktop | 6.0 | Yes |
| Operating System | redhat | enterprise_linux_desktop | 7.0 | Yes |
| Operating System | redhat | enterprise_linux_server | 6.0 | Yes |
| Operating System | redhat | enterprise_linux_server | 7.0 | Yes |
| Operating System | redhat | enterprise_linux_server_aus | 7.3 | Yes |
| Operating System | redhat | enterprise_linux_server_aus | 7.4 | Yes |
| Operating System | redhat | enterprise_linux_server_aus | 7.6 | Yes |
| Operating System | redhat | enterprise_linux_server_aus | 7.7 | Yes |
| Operating System | redhat | enterprise_linux_server_eus | 7.3 | Yes |
| Operating System | redhat | enterprise_linux_server_eus | 7.4 | Yes |
| Operating System | redhat | enterprise_linux_server_eus | 7.5 | Yes |
| Operating System | redhat | enterprise_linux_server_eus | 7.6 | Yes |
| Operating System | redhat | enterprise_linux_server_eus | 7.7 | Yes |
| Operating System | redhat | enterprise_linux_server_tus | 7.3 | Yes |
| Operating System | redhat | enterprise_linux_server_tus | 7.6 | Yes |
| Operating System | redhat | enterprise_linux_server_tus | 7.7 | Yes |
| Operating System | redhat | enterprise_linux_workstation | 6.0 | Yes |
| Operating System | redhat | enterprise_linux_workstation | 7.0 | Yes |
SecUtils normalizes and enriches National Vulnerability Database (NVD) records by standardizing vendor and product identifiers, aggregating vulnerability metadata from both NVD and MITRE sources, and providing structured context for security teams. For ntp's affected products, we extract Common Platform Enumeration (CPE) data, Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) classifications, CVSS severity metrics, and reference data to enable rapid vulnerability prioritization and asset correlation. This record contains no exploit code, proof-of-concept instructions, or attack methodologies—only defensive intelligence necessary for patch management, risk assessment, and security operations.