CVE-2010-3431
CVE-2010-3431 is a low-severity vulnerability in Linux-pam with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 1.9. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low.
Key facts
- Severity: Low (CVSS 2.0 base score 1.9)
- EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (27th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- Affected product: Linux-pam
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
The privilege-dropping implementation in the (1) pam_env and (2) pam_mail modules in Linux-PAM (aka pam) 1.1.2 does not check the return value of the setfsuid system call, which might allow local users to obtain sensitive information by leveraging an unintended uid, as demonstrated by a symlink attack on the .pam_environment file in a user's home directory. NOTE: this vulnerability exists because of an incomplete fix for CVE-2010-3435.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2010-3431?
- The privilege-dropping implementation in the (1) pam_env and (2) pam_mail modules in Linux-PAM (aka pam) 1.1.2 does not check the return value of the setfsuid system call, which might allow local users to obtain sensitive information by leveraging an unintended uid, as demonstrated by a symlink attack on the .pam_environment file in a user's home directory. NOTE: this vulnerability exists because of an incomplete fix for CVE-2010-3435.
- How severe is CVE-2010-3431?
- CVE-2010-3431 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 1.9, rated low severity.
- Is CVE-2010-3431 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (27th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- What products are affected by CVE-2010-3431?
- CVE-2010-3431 affects Linux-pam. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2010-3431?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
- When was CVE-2010-3431 published?
- CVE-2010-3431 was published on 2011-01-24 and last updated on 2026-06-16.
References
- http://git.altlinux.org/people/ldv/packages/?p=pam.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=843807a3a90f52e7538be756616510730a24739a
- http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2010/09/21/10
- http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2010/09/21/3
- http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2010/09/21/8
- http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2010/09/21/9
- http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2010/09/27/10
- http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2010/09/27/4
- http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2010/09/27/5
- http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2010/09/27/7
- http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2010/10/03/1
- http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2010/10/25/2
- http://secunia.com/advisories/49711
- http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-201206-31.xml
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2010/09/21/11
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2010/09/24/2
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=641361
Affected products (1)
- cpe:2.3:a:linux-pam:linux-pam:1.1.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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