Description
When systemd-machined >= v259 (or v258 with a custom `polkit` policy that allows `register-machine` access) is running on a desktop system, an unprivileged user logged in a desktop graphical session can kill arbitrary processes, even privileged ones.
- versions older than v259 are not affected, unless unprivileged access is granted for the `register-machine` polkit action via a local, custom policy config file
- versions older than v258 are not affected
- unrelated to the systemd service manager (pid 1 or user session managers)
- systemd-machined is not typically installed by default, and is typically in an optional, separate package (e.g.: systemd-container)
- terminal-only or remote sessions (e.g.: ssh) are not affected
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|---|
| systemd | systemd-machined | 259 – < 262, 261.2, 260.4, 259.8, 258.10 | 262, 261.2, 260.4, 259.8, 258.10 |
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 | 261.2-1 | — |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 26.04 LTS | systemd | 259.5-0ubuntu3.4 | — |
Advisories 1
- WID-SEC-2026-2742 systemd: Mehrere Schwachstellen BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · Sep 16, 2026