runuser in util-linux allows local users to escape to the parent session via a crafted…
Priority LOW 34CWE-264Published · Updated
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Security bypass
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Will not fix Red Hat: no fix planned
Attack profile from CVSS 3.0 · NVD. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat. Impact type from CWE-264.
Summary
runuser in util-linux allows local users to escape to the parent session via a crafted TIOCSTI ioctl call, which pushes characters to the terminal's input buffer.
Why it matters now
EPSS 0.00386 32nd percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix Will not fix Red Hat: no fix planned
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 |
- — Vendor— Affected all versions Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
Remediation
No fixed version listed by the sources yet.
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Moderate. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | Affected | No fix planned: Will not fix |
Not affected: 3 products
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2016-2779
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-7q5h-997q-c4x2
References
More kernel Util-linux vulnerabilities
- TI-2014-07400 Blkid in util-linux before 2.26rc-1 allows local users to execute arbitrary code. CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.8
- TI-2020-14100 An issue was discovered in hwclock.13-v2.27 allows attackers to gain escalated privlidges… CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 6.7
- TI-2021-02893 A logic error was found in the libmount library of util-linux in the function that allows… CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 5.5
- TI-2015-04386 The mkostemp function in login-utils in util-linux when used incorrectly allows remote… CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2026-21863 util-linux: TOCTOU Race Condition in util-linux mount(8) - Loop Device Setup CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 4.7
- TI-2024-18667 wall in util-linux through 2.40, often installed with setgid tty permissions, allows… CVSS 3.1LOW 3.3
Sources
- CVE-2016-2779 · CVE Program
- CVE-2016-2779 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-7q5h-997q-c4x2 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2016-2779 · 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