Description
xscreensaver 5.03 and earlier, when running without xscreensaver-gl-extras (GL extras) installed, crashes when /usr/bin/xscreensaver-gl-helper does not exist and a user attempts to unlock the screen, which allows attackers with physical access to gain access to the locked session.
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 | xscreensaver | 5.03-3.1 | — |
| Debian 13 | xscreensaver | 5.03-3.1 | — |
| Debian 12 | xscreensaver | 5.03-3.1 | — |
| Debian 5.0 | xscreensaver | 5.03-2+lenny1 | DTSA-83-1 |
Advisories 1
- DTSA-83-1 xscreensaver - authentication bypass Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=336331
- 27392 third-party-advisory
- FEDORA-2007-2652 vendor-advisory
- 26204 vdb-entry