Description
Double free vulnerability in the PyPAM_conv in PAMmodule.c in PyPam 0.5.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a NULL byte in a password string.
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 | python-pam | 0.4.2-13 | — |
| Debian 13 | python-pam | 0.4.2-13 | — |
| Debian 12 | python-pam | 0.4.2-13 | — |
| Debian 6.0 | python-pam | 0.4.2-12.2+squeeze1 | DSA-2430-1 |
Public exploits
Exploit or proof-of-concept code for this vulnerability is publicly available, which lowers the bar for attackers. Treat it as a reason to patch sooner.
Third-party code, not reviewed by us. Public PoCs are sometimes fake or contain malware. Read the code first and run it only in an isolated lab, against systems you are authorised to test.
Exploit-DB 1
- PyPAM Python bindings for PAM - Double-Free Corruption EDB-18579 · dos · Mar 10, 2012
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 1
- DSA-2430-1 python-pam - double free Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- openSUSE-SU-2012:0487 vendor-advisory
- 48312 third-party-advisory
- 48746 third-party-advisory
- USN-1395-1 vendor-advisory
- 79892 vdb-entry
- http://www.lsexperts.de/advisories/lse-2012-03-01.txt
- GLSA-201507-09 vendor-advisory
- pypam-password-dos(73857) vdb-entry
- DSA-2430 vendor-advisory
- 48332 third-party-advisory