OpenSSH Problem Reports

Released versions problem reports

Before reporting bugs/problems with released OpenSSH versions, go through this checklist:

1. Check for patches and notes regarding OpenSSH.
2. Find out if there is a newer version available for OpenBSD or for the portable release, depending upon your platform.
3. Check the list of bugs fixed since the last release and known bugs reported since the last release.

If nothing looks like it addresses your problem, then use Bugzilla to submit a bug report. Security bugs can be reported directly to the developers using the openssh@ address below, or by filing a restricted access bug by selecting the Portable OpenSSH Bugs Access checkbox. Note that neither is a method for obtaining private support for general problems, any such reports will immediately be made public.

You can reach the OpenSSH developers by sending email to one of the following addresses:

• [email protected]. This is a private list read only by the OpenSSH developers.
  Appropriate for: reports of problems with OpenBSD's OpenSSH, reports of security problems in OpenSSH on any platform.
  Not appropriate for: How-to queries, reports of problems on platforms other than OpenBSD or with third-party patches, general discussion.
• [email protected] This is a public list that requires subscription before posting.
  Appropriate for: bug reports, how-to questions and discussion of OpenSSH on any platform (including OpenBSD).
  Not appropriate for: reports of security problems, bug reports for binaries not supplied by the OpenSSH team (unless they can be reproduced with the vanilla OpenSSH distribution).

Current version problem reports

1. Test the problem at least twice, with source updated a few days apart.
2. Do not report source tree compilation problems, unless they persist. They are almost always your mistake or they are being worked on as you encounter them.
3. Remember that the AnonCVS mirrors are updated behind the actual working source tree.
4. Check for OpenSSH changes to see if the problem has been addressed.

Sending in bug reports

Try to pin-point the exact problem. Never give vague instructions, or detail vague problems like "it crashes." Talk to others on IRC or use some other forum such as the mailing list archives to confirm that it is new, repeatable, etc., and make sure it is not a local problem.

For an excellent overview of the art of reporting bugs, see Simon Tatham's How to Report Bugs Effectively. Remember, the better the information in your report, the better the chance that your problem will be resolved.

New features are accepted, especially with code that implements your suggested new feature. If someone else writes code for your new feature, the chances are that it will be misunderstood and created so that you will not recognize it.

Types of bug reports in order of desirability:

1. Repeatable problems with source fixes are the best.
2. Repeatable problems that are not specific to your hardware/software layout.
3. Repeatable problems specific to your software layout.
4. Repeatable problems specific to your hardware layout.