Rex versions through 1.16.1 for Perl accept an unknown SSH host key for remote rsync transfers because sync hardcodes StrictHostKeyChecking=no
Summary
| CVE | CVE-2026-94140 |
|---|---|
| State | PUBLISHED |
| Assigner | CPANSec |
| Source Priority | CVE Program / NVD first with legacy fallback |
| Published | 2026-10-21 22:16:50 UTC |
| Updated | 2026-10-22 01:16:59 UTC |
| Description | Rex versions through 1.16.1 for Perl accept an unknown SSH host key for remote rsync transfers because sync hardcodes StrictHostKeyChecking=no. Every remote branch of sync builds its ssh command with that option, for password authentication, for private-key authentication and for the fallback. The ssh options a caller sets through set_openssh_opt reach the OpenSSH transport but not this command, so there is no configuration that restores host key checking for the transfer. An attacker who can redirect the connection before the real host key is known presents their own and the transfer proceeds: under password authentication sync sends the connection password to that server, an upload writes the selected local files to it, and a download writes what it returns to the local destination. |
Risk And Classification
Problem Types: CWE-322 | CWE-322 CWE-322 Key Exchange without Entity Authentication
There are no known software configurations currently associated with this CVE in NVD or the CVE Program record.
References
| Reference | Source | Link | Tags |
|---|---|---|---|
| metacpan.org/release/FERKI/Rex-1.16.1/source/lib/Rex/Commands/Rsync.pm | 9b29abf9-4ab0-4765-b253-1875cd9b441e | metacpan.org | |
| www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/10/21/28 | af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108 | www.openwall.com | |
| CVE Program record | CVE.ORG | www.cve.org | canonical |
| NVD vulnerability detail | NVD | nvd.nist.gov | canonical, analysis |
Vendor Comments And Credit
Discovery Credit
CNA: James Klein (en)
Additional Advisory Data
Solutions
CNA: No fixed CPAN release is currently available.
There are currently no legacy QID mappings associated with this CVE.