Description
USBView 2.1 before 2.2 allows some local users (e.g., ones logged in via SSH) to execute arbitrary code as root because certain Polkit settings (e.g., allow_any=yes) for pkexec disable the authentication requirement. Code execution can, for example, use the --gtk-module option. This affects Ubuntu, Debian, and Gentoo.
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 | usbview | 2.0-21-g6fe2f4f-2.1 | — |
| Debian 13 | usbview | 2.0-21-g6fe2f4f-2.1 | — |
| Debian 12 | usbview | 2.0-21-g6fe2f4f-2.1 | — |
| Debian 11 | usbview | 2.0-21-g6fe2f4f-2+deb11u1 | DSA-5052-1 |
| Debian 10 | usbview | 2.0-21-g6fe2f4f-2+deb10u1 | DSA-5052-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | usbview | 2.0-21-g6fe2f4f-2ubuntu1 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | usbview | 2.0-21-g6fe2f4f-2ubuntu0.20.04.1 | USN-5249-1 |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | usbview | 2.0-21-g6fe2f4f-1ubuntu1.1 | USN-5249-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | usbview | 3.0-1.1 | openSUSE-SU-2024:11774-1 |
Advisories 3
- DSA-5052-1 usbview - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- USN-5249-1 usbview vulnerability Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Feb 10, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:11774-1 usbview-3.0-1.1 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026