Vulnerability identifier: #VU45414

Vulnerability risk: High

CVSSv3.1: 7.7 [CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C]

CVE-ID: CVE-2010-3853

CWE-ID: CWE-20

Exploitation vector: Network

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
linux-pam
Other software / Other software solutions

Vendor: git.kernel.org

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote non-authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code.

pam_namespace.c in the pam_namespace module in Linux-PAM (aka pam) before 1.1.3 uses the environment of the invoking application or service during execution of the namespace.init script, which might allow local users to gain privileges by running a setuid program that relies on the pam_namespace PAM check, as demonstrated by the sudo program.

Mitigation
Install update from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

linux-pam: 0.99.1.0 - 1.1.1

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External links
http://lists.vmware.com/pipermail/security-announce/2011/000126.html
http://pam.cvs.sourceforge.net/viewvc/pam/Linux-PAM/modules/pam_namespace/pam_namespace.c?view=log#rev1.13
http://secunia.com/advisories/49711
http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-201206-31.xml
http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2010:220
http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2010-0819.html
http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2010-0891.html
http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/516909/100/0/threaded
http://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2011-0004.html
http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2011/0606
http://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=643043

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the Internet.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.