systemd 242 changes the VT1 mode upon a logout, which allows attackers to read cleartext…
Priority LOW 25Published · Updated
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Physical
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- Required
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · None · None
- Fix status
- Will not fix Red Hat: no fix planned
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat.
Summary
systemd 242 changes the VT1 mode upon a logout, which allows attackers to read cleartext passwords in certain circumstances, such as watching a shutdown, or using Ctrl-Alt-F1 and Ctrl-Alt-F2. This occurs because the KDGKBMODE (aka current keyboard mode) check is mishandled.
Why it matters now
EPSS 0.02478 84th 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
CPE configurations NVD · 5
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:systemd_project:systemd:242:-:*:*:*:*:*:* | 242 | Vulnerable | systemd |
| cpe:2.3:o:netapp:cn1610_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Vulnerable | NetApp |
| cpe:2.3:h:netapp:cn1610:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | NetApp |
| cpe:2.3:a:netapp:snapprotect:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Vulnerable | NetApp |
| cpe:2.3:a:netapp:solidfire_\&_hci_management_node:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Vulnerable | NetApp |
- cpe:2.3:a:systemd_project:systemd:242:-:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 242 Vulnerable ·systemd
- cpe:2.3:o:netapp:cn1610_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Vulnerable ·NetApp
- cpe:2.3:h:netapp:cn1610:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·NetApp
- cpe:2.3:a:netapp:snapprotect:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Vulnerable ·NetApp
- cpe:2.3:a:netapp:solidfire_\&_hci_management_node:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Vulnerable ·NetApp
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 8 | Affected | No fix planned: Will not fix |
Not affected: 2 products
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2018-20839
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-5cwj-wmj7-j224
References
Patch 2
Advisory 2
Sources
- CVE-2018-20839 · CVE Program
- CVE-2018-20839 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-5cwj-wmj7-j224 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2018-20839 · 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