Linux-PAM up to 1.7.0 pam_namespace path traversal

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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7.6$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability marked as critical has been reported in Linux-PAM up to 1.7.0. This issue affects some unknown processing of the component pam_namespace. The manipulation leads to path traversal. This vulnerability is documented as CVE-2025-6020. The attack needs to be performed locally. There is not any exploit available. It is suggested to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux-PAM up to 1.7.0 and classified as critical. This issue affects an unknown code of the component pam_namespace. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a path traversal vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-22. The product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

A flaw was found in linux-pam. The module pam_namespace may use access user-controlled paths without proper protection, allowing local users to elevate their privileges to root via multiple symlink attacks and race conditions.

The advisory is shared at access.redhat.com. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2025-6020 since 06/12/2025. The exploitation is known to be easy. An attack has to be approached locally. Neither technical details nor an exploit are publicly available. MITRE ATT&CK project uses the attack technique T1006 for this issue.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 240219 (Fedora 42 : pam (2025-432b207745)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 1.7.1 eliminates this vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Tenable (240219), EUVD (EUVD-2025-19056) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-1339). If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.

Affected

  • Debian Linux
  • Amazon Linux 2
  • IBM Power Hardware Management Console
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux
  • Fedora Linux
  • Ubuntu Linux
  • SUSE Linux
  • Oracle Linux
  • Gentoo Linux
  • IBM MQ
  • Red Hat OpenShift
  • RESF Rocky Linux
  • IBM TXSeries
  • Open Source PAM
  • IBM QRadar SIEM
  • IBM App Connect Enterprise
  • IBM DataPower Gateway
  • Meinberg LANTIME

Productinfo

Name

Version

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.8
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.6

VulDB Base Score: 7.8
VulDB Temp Score: 7.5
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CNA Base Score: 7.8
CNA Vector (redhat): 🔒

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Path traversal
CWE: CWE-22
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: No

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Nessus ID: 240219
Nessus Name: Fedora 42 : pam (2025-432b207745)

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Linux-PAM 1.7.1

Timelineinfo

06/12/2025 CVE reserved
06/17/2025 +5 days Advisory disclosed
06/17/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
01/15/2026 +212 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Advisory: access.redhat.com
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-6020 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-6020
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-312701
EUVD: 🔒
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-1339 - PAM: Schwachstelle ermöglicht Privilegieneskalation

Entryinfo

Created: 06/17/2025 15:34
Updated: 01/15/2026 03:25
Changes: 06/17/2025 15:34 (63), 06/21/2025 17:35 (2), 06/24/2025 22:41 (1), 06/25/2025 00:54 (1), 08/06/2025 17:29 (7), 10/12/2025 21:00 (1), 01/15/2026 03:25 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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