Improper authorization in [UNKNOWN] polkit
Priority LOW 23CWE-285Published · Updated
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Security bypass
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- Low · None · Low
- Fix status
- Partial Red Hat: 6 fixed, 1 without a fix
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat. Impact type from CWE-285.
Summary
A flaw was found in polkit before version 0.116. The implementation of the polkit_backend_interactive_authority_check_authorization function in polkitd allows to test for authentication and trigger authentication of unrelated processes owned by other users. This may result in a local DoS and information disclosure.
Why it matters now
EPSS 0.01196 68th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix Partial Red Hat: 1 advisoryRed Hat: 6 fixed, 1 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [UNKNOWN] | polkit | polkit 0.116 | — | No fix listed | CNA |
- polkit Vendor[UNKNOWN] Affected polkit 0.116 Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 3
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 8.0 | Vulnerable | Debian |
| cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:12.04:*:*:*:esm:*:*:* | 12.04 | Vulnerable | Canonical |
| cpe:2.3:a:polkit_project:polkit:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 0.115 | Vulnerable | Polkit Project |
- cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 8.0 Vulnerable ·Debian
- cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:12.04:*:*:*:esm:*:*:* Versions 12.04 Vulnerable ·Canonical
- cpe:2.3:a:polkit_project:polkit:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 0.115 Vulnerable ·Polkit Project
Remediation
Red Hat 1 advisory
- RHSA-2020:1135 Released 2020-03-31 · Red Hat rating Lowpolkit security and bug fix update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client (v. 7) polkit-0.112-26.el7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client Optional (v. 7) polkit-devel-0.112-26.el7, polkit-docs-0.112-26.el7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode (v. 7) polkit-0.112-26.el7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode Optional (v. 7) polkit-devel-0.112-26.el7, polkit-docs-0.112-26.el7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 7) polkit-0.112-26.el7, polkit-0.112-26.el7.ppc, polkit-devel-0.112-26.el7 +2
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 7) polkit-0.112-26.el7, polkit-devel-0.112-26.el7, polkit-docs-0.112-26.el7
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Low. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 | Affected | No fix planned: Will not fix |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:1135 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:1135 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:1135 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:1135 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:1135 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:1135 |
Not affected: 1 product
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2018-1116
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-hjrh-286v-8qr4
References
Sources
- CVE-2018-1116 · CVE Program
- CVE-2018-1116 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-hjrh-286v-8qr4 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2018-1116 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
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