Description
driver/subprocs.c in XScreenSaver before 5.34 does not properly perform an internal consistency check, which allows physically proximate attackers to bypass the lock screen by hot swapping monitors.
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 | xscreensaver | 5.34-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | xscreensaver | 5.34-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | xscreensaver | 5.34-1 | — |
| Debian 8 | xscreensaver | 5.30-1+deb8u1 | DSA-3438-1 |
| Debian 7 | xscreensaver | 5.15-3+deb7u1 | DSA-3438-1 |
Show 1 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 6.0 | xscreensaver | 5.11-1+deb6u11 | DLA-338-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | xscreensaver | 5.15-3+deb7u1ubuntu0.1 | — |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 12 SP1 | xscreensaver | 5.22-7.1 | SUSE-SU-2015:2053-2 |
| SLES 12 | xscreensaver | 5.22-7.1 | SUSE-SU-2015:2053-1 |
| SLES 11 SP4 | xscreensaver | 5.07-6.36.1 | SUSE-SU-2015:2054-1 |
| SLES 11 SP3 | xscreensaver | 5.07-6.36.1 | SUSE-SU-2015:2054-1 |
Show 4 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES for SAP 12 SP1 | xscreensaver | 5.22-7.1 | SUSE-SU-2015:2053-2 |
| SLES for SAP 12 | xscreensaver | 5.22-7.1 | SUSE-SU-2015:2053-1 |
| SLES for SAP 11 SP4 | xscreensaver | 5.07-6.36.1 | SUSE-SU-2015:2054-1 |
| SLES for SAP 11 SP3 | xscreensaver | 5.07-6.36.1 | SUSE-SU-2015:2054-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | xscreensaver | 5.34-1.6 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10216-1 |
Advisories 6
- DSA-3438-1 xscreensaver - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DLA-338-1 xscreensaver - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2015:2053-1 Security update for xscreensaver SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2015:2054-1 Security update for xscreensaver SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2015:2053-2 Security update for xscreensaver SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10216-1 xscreensaver-5.34-1.6 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- https://www.jwz.org/blog/2015/10/xscreensaver-5-34/
- 1034052 vdb-entry
- openSUSE-SU-2015:2032 vendor-advisory
- DSA-3438 vendor-advisory
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/bulletinjul2016-3090568.html
- [oss-security] 20151024 CVE request: xscreensaver aborts when unpluging second monitor cable when asking password mailing-list
- [oss-security] 20151025 Re: CVE request: xscreensaver aborts when unpluging second monitor cable when asking password mailing-list
- [oss-security] 20151029 Re: CVE request: xscreensaver aborts when unpluging second monitor cable when asking password mailing-list
- https://twitter.com/Thaolia/status/656823859304398848
- USN-2789-1 vendor-advisory