# CVE-2015-8139: NTP ntpq origin timestamp leak and peer impersonation

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2015-8139-ntp-ntpq-origin-timestamp-leak-and-peer-impersonation  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2017-01-30. Updated: 2026-05-13  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2015-8139 · Severity: medium · CVSS 5.3 · Published 2017-01-30

A vulnerability in the Network Time Protocol (NTP) software could allow an attacker to impersonate a trusted time server. NTP is a critical service used to synchronize clocks across computers and network devices. By exploiting this flaw, an attacker could potentially provide false time information to a system, which can disrupt security logs, scheduled tasks, and authentication mechanisms.

Technologies: [Ntp](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/ntp). Vendors: [Ntp](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/ntp).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2015-8139 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2015-8139 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2015-8139?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 5.3, published 30 January 2017.

**Which products and versions are affected?** NTP Project NTP before 4.2.8p7.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2015-8139?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2015-8139 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2015-8139?** Check whether you run Ntp. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

A vulnerability exists in the ntpq and ntpdc utilities within NTP versions prior to 4.2.8p7 due to improper access control. The software discloses origin timestamps to unauthenticated remote clients, which are intended to be private values used to validate legitimate time responses. An attacker can capture these leaked timestamps and use them to craft spoofed NTP packets that appear to come from a trusted peer. This allows for the injection of false time data into the target system. The issue is addressed in NTP 4.2.8p7.

## Affected products

- NTP Project NTP before 4.2.8p7

## Timeline

- 2016-01-27: advisory: Cisco security advisory published
- 2017-01-30: disclosed: NVD publication date

## References

- [http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-04/msg00059.html](http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-04/msg00059.html)
- [http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-04/msg00060.html](http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-04/msg00060.html)
- [http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-05/msg00020.html](http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-05/msg00020.html)
- [http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-05/msg00038.html](http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-05/msg00038.html)
- [http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-05/msg00048.html](http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-05/msg00048.html)
- [http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-updates/2016-05/msg00114.html](http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-updates/2016-05/msg00114.html)
- [http://support.ntp.org/bin/view/Main/NtpBug2946](http://support.ntp.org/bin/view/Main/NtpBug2946)

## Related threats

- [NTP ntpq protocol replay attack vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2015-8140-ntp-ntpq-protocol-replay-attack-vulnerability)
- [NTP and NTPsec reference clock impersonation vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2016-1551-ntp-and-ntpsec-reference-clock-impersonation-vulnerability)
- [NTP Project ntpd denial of service via large UDP packet on Windows](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2016-9312-ntp-project-ntpd-denial-of-service-via-large-udp-packet-on-windows)
- [NTP Project ntpd denial of service in trap service](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2016-9311-ntp-project-ntpd-denial-of-service-in-trap-service)
- [NTP ntpd information disclosure and DDoS vector in mode 6 control functionality](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2016-9310-ntp-ntpd-information-disclosure-and-ddos-vector-in-mode-6-control)