Clevis exposes PKCS#11 token PIN on command line
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- High
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · None · None
- Fix status
- No fix listed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat.
Summary
Clevis PKCS#11 pin in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7, 8, 9 and 10 passes the token PIN as a command-line argument to pkcs11-tool through the clevis-decrypt-pkcs11 script. This exposes the PIN (CWE-214) to any local user who can read the process list or /proc. A local user with low privileges can obtain the PIN, and the attack needs a high-complexity condition.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-10-30
Description from the CNA
A flaw was found in the clevis PKCS#11 pin. The clevis-decrypt-pkcs11 script passes the PKCS#11 token PIN as a command-line argument to pkcs11-tool, making it visible to any local user through process listing or the /proc filesystem.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- Poc
- 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
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Hat | Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 | — | — | No fix listed | CNA |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | — | — | No fix listed | CNA |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 | — | — | No fix listed | CNA |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 | — | — | No fix listed | CNA |
| Red Hat | Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4 | — | — | Not affected | CNA |
| Red Hat | Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4 | — | — | Not affected | CNA |
| Red Hat | Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 5 | — | — | Not affected | CNA |
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 VendorRed Hat Affected — Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 VendorRed Hat Affected — Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 VendorRed Hat Affected — Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 VendorRed Hat Affected — Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
- Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4 VendorRed Hat Affected — Fixed in — Not affected CNA
- Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4 VendorRed Hat Affected — Fixed in — Not affected CNA
- Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 5 VendorRed Hat Affected — Fixed in — Not affected CNA
CPE names CNA · 6
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:/a:redhat:enterprise_linux:10 | 10 | — | Red Hat |
| cpe:/o:redhat:rhel_els:7 | 7 | — | Red Hat |
| cpe:/a:redhat:enterprise_linux:8 | 8 | — | Red Hat |
| cpe:/a:redhat:enterprise_linux:9 | 9 | — | Red Hat |
| cpe:/a:redhat:openshift:4 | 4 | — | Red Hat |
| cpe:/a:redhat:openshift:5 | 5 | — | Red Hat |
- cpe:/a:redhat:enterprise_linux:10 Versions 10 — ·Red Hat
- cpe:/o:redhat:rhel_els:7 Versions 7 — ·Red Hat
- cpe:/a:redhat:enterprise_linux:8 Versions 8 — ·Red Hat
- cpe:/a:redhat:enterprise_linux:9 Versions 9 — ·Red Hat
- cpe:/a:redhat:openshift:4 Versions 4 — ·Red Hat
- cpe:/a:redhat:openshift:5 Versions 5 — ·Red Hat
Remediation
The sources list no fixed version for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7, 8, 9 or 10.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-10-30
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Moderate. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 | Affected | No fix yet |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | Affected | No fix yet: Fix deferred |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 | Affected | No fix yet: Fix deferred |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 | Affected | No fix yet |
Not affected: 2 products
- Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4
- Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 5
Timeline
- 2026-10-14 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-109971
- 2026-10-14 CISA SSVC decision points changed
- 2026-10-14 Priority changed: LOW → MEDIUM
- 2026-10-14 Alias added: GHSA-h4x5-qj8j-4qx3
- 2026-10-16 Affected versions changed · Red Hat
- 2026-10-16 CVSS score added · Red Hat
- 2026-10-30 Affected versions changed · CNA
- 2026-10-30 Affected versions changed · Red Hat
References
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Sources
- CVE-2026-109971 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-109971 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-h4x5-qj8j-4qx3 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2026-109971 · 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