Description
The _unix_run_helper_binary function in the pam_unix module in Linux-PAM (aka pam) before 1.2.1, when unable to directly access passwords, allows local users to enumerate usernames or cause a denial of service (hang) via a large password.
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 | 1.1.8-3.2 | — |
| Debian 13 | pam | 1.1.8-3.2 | — |
| Debian 12 | pam | 1.1.8-3.2 | — |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | pam | 1.1.8-3.2ubuntu2 | — |
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | pam | 1.1.8-1ubuntu2.1 | USN-2935-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 7 | pam +1 | 1.1.8-12.ael7b_1.1 | RHSA-2015:1640 |
| RHEL 6 | pam +1 | 1.1.1-20.el6_7.1 | RHSA-2015:1640 |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 12 SP2 | pam | 1.1.8-23.1 | SUSE-SU-2017:1398-1 |
| SLES 12 SP1 | pam | 1.1.8-23.1 | SUSE-SU-2017:1398-1 |
| SLES 11 SP4 | pam | 1.1.5-0.17.2 | SUSE-SU-2016:1645-1 |
Show 3 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES for SAP 12 SP2 | pam | 1.1.8-23.1 | SUSE-SU-2017:1398-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP1 | pam | 1.1.8-23.1 | SUSE-SU-2017:1398-1 |
| SLES for SAP 11 SP4 | pam | 1.1.5-0.17.2 | SUSE-SU-2016:1645-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | pam | 1.3.0-3.4 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10405-1 |
Oracle Linux
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oracle Linux 7 | pam +1 | 1.1.8-12.el7_1.1 | ELSA-2015-1640 |
Advisories 6
- RHSA-2015:1640 Red Hat Security Advisory: pam security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 27, 2026
- USN-2935-1 pam vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Apr 22, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2017:1398-1 Security update for pam SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2016:1645-1 Security update for pam SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10405-1 pam-1.3.0-3.4 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · May 7, 2025
- ELSA-2015-1640 Moderate: pam security update (Oracle Linux 7) Oracle Linux Security Advisories (ELSA) · Aug 18, 2015
References
- FEDORA-2015-10830 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2015:1640 vendor-advisory
- [oss-security] 20150625 Linux-PAM 1.2.1 released to address CVE-2015-3238 mailing-list
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1228571
- https://www.trustwave.com/Resources/Security-Advisories/Advisories/TWSL2015-011/?fid=6551
- GLSA-201605-05 vendor-advisory
- USN-2935-2 vendor-advisory
- USN-2935-3 vendor-advisory
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpuapr2016v3-2985753.html
- USN-2935-1 vendor-advisory
- FEDORA-2015-10848 vendor-advisory
- 75428 vdb-entry
- https://www.trustwave.com/Resources/SpiderLabs-Blog/Username-Enumeration-against-OpenSSH-SELinux-with-CVE-2015-3238/