CVE-2010-3435

CVE-2010-3435 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Linux-pam with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 4.7. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low.

Key facts

Description

The (1) pam_env and (2) pam_mail modules in Linux-PAM (aka pam) before 1.1.2 use root privileges during read access to files and directories that belong to arbitrary user accounts, which might allow local users to obtain sensitive information by leveraging this filesystem activity, as demonstrated by a symlink attack on the .pam_environment file in a user's home directory.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2010-3435?
The (1) pam_env and (2) pam_mail modules in Linux-PAM (aka pam) before 1.1.2 use root privileges during read access to files and directories that belong to arbitrary user accounts, which might allow local users to obtain sensitive information by leveraging this filesystem activity, as demonstrated by a symlink attack on the .pam_environment file in a user's home directory.
How severe is CVE-2010-3435?
CVE-2010-3435 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 4.7, rated medium severity.
Is CVE-2010-3435 being actively exploited?
It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (28th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2010-3435?
CVE-2010-3435 primarily affects Linux-pam. In total, 23 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2010-3435?
Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2010-3435 published?
CVE-2010-3435 was published on 2011-01-24 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (23)

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