Description
linux-pam (aka Linux PAM) before 1.6.0 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (blocked login process) via mkfifo because the openat call (for protect_dir) lacks O_DIRECTORY.
Affected products
linux-pam: linux-pam
References10
- www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2024/01/18/3 ExploitMailing ListPatchRelease Notes
- github.com/linux-pam/linux-pam/commit/031bb5a5d0d950253b68138b4… Patch
- www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2024/01/18/3 ExploitMailing ListPatchRelease Notes
- github.com/linux-pam/linux-pam/commit/031bb5a5d0d950253b68138b4… Patch
- github.com/linux-pam/linux-pam Product
- github.com/linux-pam/linux-pam/releases/tag/v1.6.0 Release Notes
- github.com/linux-pam/linux-pam Product
- github.com/linux-pam/linux-pam/releases/tag/v1.6.0 Release Notes
- lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/09/msg00021.html
- cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-577017.html
Metrics
- CVSS 3.1
-
5.5
MEDIUM
Score source: NVD
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H - EPSS — exploit probability
- 0% percentile: 40 · as of 5 November 2026
- CWE
- CWE-664
Could this be exploited in your environment?
A patch closes the known hole. A penetration test shows what an attacker can still reach — with proof.