CVE-2001-1017

CVE-2001-1017 is a high-severity vulnerability in Freebsd with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.2. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low.

Key facts

Description

rmuser utility in FreeBSD 4.2 and 4.3 creates a copy of the master.passwd file with world-readable permissions while updating the original file, which could allow local users to gain privileges by reading the copied file while rmuser is running, obtain the password hashes, and crack the passwords.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2001-1017?
rmuser utility in FreeBSD 4.2 and 4.3 creates a copy of the master.passwd file with world-readable permissions while updating the original file, which could allow local users to gain privileges by reading the copied file while rmuser is running, obtain the password hashes, and crack the passwords.
How severe is CVE-2001-1017?
CVE-2001-1017 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.2, rated high severity.
Is CVE-2001-1017 being actively exploited?
It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (29th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2001-1017?
CVE-2001-1017 primarily affects Freebsd. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2001-1017?
Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2001-1017 published?
CVE-2001-1017 was published on 2001-09-04 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (2)

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