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TI-2015-02867 Aliases CVE-2015-3238GHSA-6r75-hhm5-f689

The _unix_run_helper_binary function in the pam_unix module in Linux-PAM (aka pam) before…

Priority LOW 34CWE-200Published · Updated

Key facts

Attack vector
Network
Privileges required
None
User interaction
None
Attack complexity
Low
Impact type
Information disclosure
Confidentiality · integrity · availability
Low · None · Low
Fix status
Partial Red Hat: 12 fixed, 1 without a fix

Attack profile from CVSS 3.0 · NVD. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat. Impact type from CWE-200.

Summary

The _unix_run_helper_binary function in the pam_unix module in Linux-PAM (aka pam) before 1.2.1, when unable to directly access passwords, allows local users to enumerate usernames or cause a denial of service (hang) via a large password.

Why it matters now

EPSS 0.02705 86th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Public exploit Yes 2 exploit referencesTagged by NVD
Fix Partial Red Hat: 1 advisoryRed Hat: 12 fixed, 1 without a fix

SSVC decision points

Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.

Affected products

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed inStatusSource
——all versions—No fix listedCNA
  • — Vendor— Affected all versions Fixed in — No fix listed CNA

CPE configurations NVD · 2

CPEVersionsRoleVendor
cpe:2.3:a:linux-pam:linux-pam:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*up to 1.1.8VulnerableLinux-PAM
cpe:2.3:a:oracle:sparc-opl_service_processor:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*up to 1121VulnerableOracle
  • cpe:2.3:a:linux-pam:linux-pam:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions up to 1.1.8 Vulnerable ·Linux-PAM
  • cpe:2.3:a:oracle:sparc-opl_service_processor:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions up to 1121 Vulnerable ·Oracle

Remediation

Red Hat 1 advisory

  • RHSA-2015:1640 Released 2015-08-18 · Red Hat rating Moderate
    pam security update
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client (v. 7) pam-1.1.8-12.el7_1.1
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client Optional (v. 7) pam-devel-1.1.8-12.el7_1.1
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode (v. 7) pam-1.1.8-12.el7_1.1
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode Optional (v. 7) pam-devel-1.1.8-12.el7_1.1
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop (v. 6) pam-1.1.1-20.el6_7.1
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop Optional (v. 6) pam-devel-1.1.1-20.el6_7.1
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux HPC Node (v. 6) pam-1.1.1-20.el6_7.1
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux HPC Node Optional (v. 6) pam-devel-1.1.1-20.el6_7.1
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 6) pam-1.1.1-20.el6_7.1, pam-1.1.1-20.el6_7.1.ppc, pam-devel-1.1.1-20.el6_7.1 +1
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 7) pam-1.1.8-12.ael7b_1.1, pam-1.1.8-12.el7_1.1, pam-1.1.8-12.el7_1.1.ppc +3
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 6) pam-1.1.1-20.el6_7.1, pam-devel-1.1.1-20.el6_7.1
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 7) pam-1.1.8-12.el7_1.1, pam-devel-1.1.8-12.el7_1.1

Vendor assessments

Red Hat

Red Hat rating: Moderate. Red Hat's page for this CVE →

ProductStatusPlan or fix
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5AffectedNo fix planned: Will not fix
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client (v. 7)Fixed RHSA-2015:1640
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client Optional (v. 7)Fixed RHSA-2015:1640
Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode (v. 7)Fixed RHSA-2015:1640
Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode Optional (v. 7)Fixed RHSA-2015:1640
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop (v. 6)Fixed RHSA-2015:1640
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop Optional (v. 6)Fixed RHSA-2015:1640
Red Hat Enterprise Linux HPC Node (v. 6)Fixed RHSA-2015:1640
Red Hat Enterprise Linux HPC Node Optional (v. 6)Fixed RHSA-2015:1640
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 6)Fixed RHSA-2015:1640
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 7)Fixed RHSA-2015:1640
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 6)Fixed RHSA-2015:1640
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 7)Fixed RHSA-2015:1640

Timeline

  1. 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2015-3238
  2. 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-6r75-hhm5-f689

References

Exploit 2

Advisory 7

Other 3

Sources

This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences