Description
pwmconfig in LM_sensors before 2.9.1 creates temporary files insecurely, which allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the fancontrol temporary file.
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 ↗Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 4 | lm_sensors +1 | 2.8.7-2.40.3 | RHSA-2005:825 |
Advisories 3
- DSA-814-1 lm-sensors - insecure temporary file Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DTSA-17-1 lm-sensors - insecure temporary file Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- RHSA-2005:825 Red Hat Security Advisory: lm_sensors security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Nov 22, 2025
References
- http://secure.netroedge.com/~lm78/cvs/lm_sensors2/CHANGES
- http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=324193
- 1015180 vdb-entry
- USN-172-1 vendor-advisory
- 17535 third-party-advisory
- 16501 third-party-advisory
- RHSA-2005:825 vendor-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:9993 vdb-entry signature
- 14624 vdb-entry
- MDKSA-2005:149 vendor-advisory
- 17499 third-party-advisory
- ADV-2005-1492 vdb-entry
- DSA-814 vendor-advisory