Description
The KDE Clock KCM policykit helper in kde-workspace before 4.11.14 and plasma-desktop before 5.1.1 allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted ntpUtility (ntp utility name) argument.
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.
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | kde-workspace | 4:4.11.11-0ubuntu0.2 | — |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 11 SP4 | kdebase4-wallpapers | 4.3.5-0.11.20.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:0303-1 |
| SLES 11 SP4 | kdebase4-workspace | 4.3.5-0.12.20.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:0303-1 |
| SLES 11 SP3 | kdebase4-wallpapers | 4.3.5-0.11.20.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:0303-1 |
| SLES 11 SP3 | kdebase4-workspace | 4.3.5-0.12.20.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:0303-1 |
Show 2 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES for SAP 11 SP4 | kdebase4-wallpapers | 4.3.5-0.11.20.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:0303-1 |
| SLES for SAP 11 SP4 | kdebase4-workspace | 4.3.5-0.12.20.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:0303-1 |
| SLES for SAP 11 SP3 | kdebase4-wallpapers | 4.3.5-0.11.20.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:0303-1 |
| SLES for SAP 11 SP3 | kdebase4-workspace | 4.3.5-0.12.20.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:0303-1 |
Advisories 1
- SUSE-SU-2016:0303-1 Security update for kdebase4-workspace SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- FEDORA-2014-14813 vendor-advisory
- [oss-security] 20141104 Privilege Escalation via KDE Clock KCM polkit helper mailing-list
- GLSA-201512-12 vendor-advisory
- https://www.kde.org/info/security/advisory-20141106-1.txt
- USN-2402-1 vendor-advisory
- FEDORA-2014-14895 vendor-advisory
- [oss-security] 20141106 Re: Privilege Escalation via KDE Clock KCM polkit helper mailing-list
- FEDORA-2014-14865 vendor-advisory
- 70904 vdb-entry