Description
do_command.c in Vixie cron (vixie-cron) 4.1 does not check the return code of a setuid call, which might allow local users to gain root privileges if setuid fails in cases such as PAM failures or resource limits, as originally demonstrated by a program that exceeds the process limits as defined in /etc/security/limits.conf.
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 14 | cron | 3.0pl1-64 | — |
| Debian 13 | cron | 3.0pl1-64 | — |
| Debian 12 | cron | 3.0pl1-64 | — |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 4 | vixie-cron | 4:4.1-44.EL4 | RHSA-2006:0539 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | cronie | 1.5.0-65.4 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10139-1 |
Advisories 2
- RHSA-2006:0539 Red Hat Security Advisory: vixie-cron security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10139-1 cron-4.2-65.4 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- 20060525 rPSA-2006-0082-1 vixie-cron mailing-list
- ADV-2006-2075 vdb-entry
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=178431
- http://support.avaya.com/elmodocs2/security/ASA-2006-168.htm
- 18108 vdb-entry
- http://bugs.gentoo.org/show_bug.cgi?id=134194
- 20388 third-party-advisory
- 1016480 vdb-entry
- USN-778-1 vendor-advisory
- SUSE-SA:2006:027 vendor-advisory
- 35318 third-party-advisory
- 21032 third-party-advisory
- GLSA-200606-07 vendor-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:10213 vdb-entry signature
- vixie-cron-docommand-gain-privilege(26691) vdb-entry
- RHSA-2006:0539 vendor-advisory
- 20616 third-party-advisory
- 21702 third-party-advisory
- 20380 third-party-advisory