CVE-2011-5054

CVE-2011-5054 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Kde Kcheckpass with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 6.9. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-287.

Key facts

• Severity: Medium (CVSS 2.0 base score 6.9)
• EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (25th percentile)
• Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
• Weakness: CWE-287
• Affected product: Kde Kcheckpass
• Published: 2012-01-06
• Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

kcheckpass passes a user-supplied argument to the pam_start function, often within a setuid environment, which allows local users to invoke any configured PAM stack, and possibly trigger unintended side effects, via an arbitrary valid PAM service name, a different vulnerability than CVE-2011-4122. NOTE: the vendor indicates that the possibility of resultant privilege escalation may be "a bit far-fetched."

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2011-5054?

kcheckpass passes a user-supplied argument to the pam_start function, often within a setuid environment, which allows local users to invoke any configured PAM stack, and possibly trigger unintended side effects, via an arbitrary valid PAM service name, a different vulnerability than CVE-2011-4122. NOTE: the vendor indicates that the possibility of resultant privilege escalation may be "a bit far-fetched."

How severe is CVE-2011-5054?

CVE-2011-5054 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 6.9, rated medium severity.

Is CVE-2011-5054 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (25th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2011-5054?

CVE-2011-5054 affects Kde Kcheckpass. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2011-5054?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2011-5054 published?

CVE-2011-5054 was published on 2012-01-06 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

• http://c-skills.blogspot.com/2011/11/openpam-trickery.html
• http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2011/12/07/3
• http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2011/12/08/9
• http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2011/12/23/8
• http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2011/12/27/1
• http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2011/12/27/3
• http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2011/12/28/5
• http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2012/01/02/10
• http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2012/01/02/11
• https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/72230

Affected products (1)

• cpe:2.3:a:kde:kcheckpass:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

Other CWE-287 (Improper Authentication) vulnerabilities

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