Description
The default configuration of su in /etc/pam.d/su in GNU coreutils 5.2.1 allows local users to gain the privileges of a (1) locked or (2) expired account by entering the account name on the command line, related to improper use of the pam_succeed_if.so module.
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 | coreutils | 5.93-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | coreutils | 5.93-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | coreutils | 5.93-1 | — |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 4 | coreutils | 5.2.1-31.8.el4 | RHSA-2008:0780 |
Advisories 1
- RHSA-2008:0780 Red Hat Security Advisory: coreutils security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
References
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:10029 vdb-entry signature
- coreutils-pamsucceedif-security-bypass(43993) vdb-entry
- RHSA-2008:0780 vendor-advisory
- 1020552 vdb-entry
- 30363 vdb-entry
- 31225 third-party-advisory