Description
The SetX11Keyboard function in systemd, when PolicyKit Local Authority (PKLA) is used to change the group permissions on the X Keyboard Extension (XKB) layouts description, allows local users in the group to modify the Xorg X11 Server configuration file and possibly gain privileges via vectors involving "special and control characters."
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 | systemd | 204-5 | — |
| Debian 13 | systemd | 204-5 | — |
| Debian 12 | systemd | 204-5 | — |
| Debian 7 | systemd | 44-11+deb7u4 | DSA-2777-1 |
Advisories 1
- DSA-2777-1 systemd - several Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- GLSA-201612-34 vendor-advisory
- http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=725357
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=862324
- DSA-2777 vendor-advisory
- [oss-security] 20131001 Re: [CVE request] systemd mailing-list