ppxp does not drop root privileges before opening log files, which allows local users to execute arbitrary commands.

Description

Fixed in Linux distributions

Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.

Advisories 2

• DSA-725-2 ppxp - missing privilege release Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
• DSA-725-1 ppxp - missing privilege release Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026

References

• 13681 vdb-entry
• DSA-725 vendor-advisory