The checkPassword function in python-kerberos does not authenticate the KDC it attempts…
Priority MEDIUM 40CWE-287Published · Updated
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- High
- Impact type
- Security bypass
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Partial Red Hat: 3 without a fix
Attack profile from CVSS 3.0 · NVD. Fix status from CNA, GitHub and Red Hat. Impact type from CWE-287.
Summary
The checkPassword function in python-kerberos does not authenticate the KDC it attempts to communicate with, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (bad response), or have other unspecified impact by performing a man-in-the-middle attack.
Why it matters now
EPSS 0.0239 84th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix Partial pykerberos (PyPI): 1.1.6Red Hat: 3 without a fix
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | all versions | — | No fix listed | CNA |
| — | kerberos (PyPI) | up to 1.2.5 | — | No fix listed | GHSA-mffc-9gx5-99g3 |
| — | pykerberos (PyPI) | before 1.1.6 | 1.1.6 | Patch available | GHSA-mffc-9gx5-99g3 |
- — Vendor— Affected all versions Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
- kerberos (PyPI) Vendor— Affected up to 1.2.5 Fixed in — No fix listed GHSA-mffc-9gx5-99g3
- pykerberos (PyPI) Vendor— Affected before 1.1.6 Fixed in 1.1.6 Patch available GHSA-mffc-9gx5-99g3
Remediation
- Fix · GHSA-mffc-9gx5-99g3 pykerberos (PyPI) Fixed in 1.1.6 Advisory →
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Moderate. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 | Affected | No fix yet |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 | Affected | No fix yet |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | Affected | No fix yet |
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2015-3206
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-mffc-9gx5-99g3
References
Patch 4
Other 6
- https://github.com/apple/ccs-pykerberos/commit/9cb61c93f9b24dd18a0a315f3df5445529c5c333
- https://github.com/apple/ccs-pykerberos
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/kerberos/PYSEC-2017-49.yaml
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/pykerberos/PYSEC-2017-66.yaml
- https://web.archive.org/web/20150910143429/https://trac.calendarserver.org/ticket/833
- https://web.archive.org/web/20200228090829/http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/74760
Sources
- CVE-2015-3206 · CVE Program
- CVE-2015-3206 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-mffc-9gx5-99g3 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2015-3206 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences