Description
pam_namespace.c in the pam_namespace module in Linux-PAM (aka pam) before 1.1.3 uses the environment of the invoking application or service during execution of the namespace.init script, which might allow local users to gain privileges by running a setuid program that relies on the pam_namespace PAM check, as demonstrated by the sudo program.
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 | pam | 1.1.3-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | pam | 1.1.3-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | pam | 1.1.3-1 | — |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 6 | pam +1 | 1.1.1-4.el6_0.1 | RHSA-2010:0891 |
| RHEL 5 | pam +1 | 0.99.6.2-6.el5_5.2 | RHSA-2010:0819 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | pam | 1.3.0-3.4 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10405-1 |
Advisories 3
- RHSA-2010:0819 Red Hat Security Advisory: pam security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- RHSA-2010:0891 Red Hat Security Advisory: pam security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10405-1 pam-1.3.0-3.4 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · May 7, 2025
References
- GLSA-201206-31 vendor-advisory
- [security-announce] 20110307 VMSA-2011-0004 VMware ESX/ESXi SLPD denial of service vulnerability and ESX third party updates for Service Console packages bind, pam, and rpm mailing-list
- ADV-2011-0606 vdb-entry
- 20110308 VMSA-2011-0004 VMware ESX/ESXi SLPD denial of service vulnerability and ESX third party updates for Service Console packages bind, pam, and rpm. mailing-list
- MDVSA-2010:220 vendor-advisory
- 49711 third-party-advisory
- RHSA-2010:0891 vendor-advisory
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=643043
- RHSA-2010:0819 vendor-advisory
- http://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2011-0004.html
- http://pam.cvs.sourceforge.net/viewvc/pam/Linux-PAM/modules/pam_namespace/pam_namespace.c?view=log#rev1.13