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TI-2026-12676 Aliases CVE-2026-15060

systemd-machined: unprivileged users can terminate arbitrary processes

Priority LOW 20CWE-284Published · Updated

Key facts

Attack vector
Local
Privileges required
Low
User interaction
None
Attack complexity
High
Impact type
Security bypass
Confidentiality · integrity · availability
None · None · High
Fix status
Fixed

Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-284.

Summary

When systemd-machined >= v259 (or v258 with a custom `polkit` policy that allows `register-machine` access) is running on a desktop system, an unprivileged user logged in a desktop graphical session can kill arbitrary processes, even privileged ones. - versions older than v259 are not affected, unless unprivileged access is granted for the `register-machine` polkit action via a local, custom policy config file - versions older than v258 are not affected - unrelated to the systemd service manager (pid 1 or user session managers) - systemd-machined is not typically installed by default, and is typically in an optional, separate package (e.g.: systemd-container) - terminal-only or remote sessions (e.g.: ssh) are not affected

Why it matters now

Exploitation None reported CISA SSVC · not in CISA KEV
EPSS 0.00079 0th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix Fixed systemd-machined (systemd): 262, 261.2, 260.4 +2

SSVC decision points

CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3

Exploitation
None
Automatable
No
Technical impact
Partial

The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.

Affected products

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed inStatusSource
systemdsystemd-machined259 to before 262, 261.2, 260.4, 259.8, 258.10262, 261.2, 260.4, 259.8, 258.10Patch availableCNA
  • systemd-machined Vendorsystemd Affected 259 to before 262, 261.2, 260.4, 259.8, 258.10 Fixed in 262, 261.2, 260.4, 259.8, 258.10 Patch available CNA

Remediation

  • Fix · CNA systemd-machined (systemd) Fixed in 262, 261.2, 260.4, 259.8, 258.10

Vendor assessments

Red Hat

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

Not affected: 7 products
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9
  • Red Hat Hardened Images
  • Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4
  • Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 5

Timeline

  1. 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-15060
  2. 2026-11-05 Affected versions changed · Red Hat

References

Other 1

  • TI-2023-11736 systemd before 247 does not adequately block local privilege escalation for some Sudo… CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.8
  • TI-2017-06857 In systemd through 233, certain sizes passed to dns_packet_new in systemd-resolved can… CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.5
  • TI-2026-29031 In nspawn in systemd 233 through 259 before 260, an escape-to-host action can occur via a crafted optional config file. CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 6.4
  • TI-2026-12675 systemd-oomd: unprivileged users can terminate arbitrary processes CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 5.5
  • TI-2022-04038 Information disclosure in systemd CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 5.5
  • TI-2025-04111 Systemd-coredump: race condition that allows a local attacker to crash a suid program and… CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 4.7
See all 58 →

Sources

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