Description
kcheckpass in KDE 3.2.0 up to 3.4.2 allows local users to gain root access via a symlink attack on lock files.
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.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 3.1 | kdebase | 4:3.3.2-1sarge1 | DSA-815-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 4 | kdebase +1 | 6:3.3.1-5.13 | RHSA-2006:0582 |
Advisories 2
- RHSA-2006:0582 Red Hat Security Advisory: kdebase security fix Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-815-1 kdebase - programming error Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- MDKSA-2005:160 vendor-advisory
- 20050905 [KDE Security Advisory] kcheckpass local root vulnerability mailing-list
- 16692 third-party-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:9388 vdb-entry signature
- USN-176-1 vendor-advisory
- 18139 third-party-advisory
- 21481 third-party-advisory
- DSA-815 vendor-advisory
- http://www.kde.org/info/security/advisory-20050905-1.txt
- RHSA-2006:0582 vendor-advisory
- 20050907 [ Suresec Advisories ] - Kcheckpass file creation vulnerability mailing-list
- http://www.suresec.org/advisories/adv6.pdf
- 14736 vdb-entry