CVE-2015-3246
Red Hat Libuser Race Condition Vulnerability
Published Aug 11, 2015 · updated Oct 2, 2026 · Red Hat Libuser
libuser before 0.56.13-8 and 0.60 before 0.60-7, as used in the userhelper program in the usermode package, directly modifies /etc/passwd, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (inconsistent file state) by causing an error during the modification. NOTE: this issue can be combined with CVE-2015-3245 to gain privileges.
Code
The project this record applies to. Exploit listings stay in References.
No public source repository is identified for this product.
Timeline
Detection, updates, and resolution for this record.
Aug 11, 2015 · Catalog
Detected
libuser before 0.56.13-8 and 0.60 before 0.60-7, as used in the userhelper program in the usermode package, directly modifies /etc/passwd, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (inconsistent file state) by causing an error during the modification. NOTE: this issue can be combined with CVE-2015-3245 to gain privileges.
Aug 26, 2026 · CISA KEV
Known exploited
Apply mitigations in accordance with vendor instructions, ensuring compliance with CISA’s BOD 26-04 Prioritizing Security Updates Based on Risk (see URL in Notes) guidance and CISA’s “Forensics Triage Requirements” (see URL in Notes). Follow applicable BOD 26-04 guidance for cloud services or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Stakeholders are responsible for evaluating
Sep 9, 2026 · CISA KEV
Remediation due
Apply mitigations in accordance with vendor instructions, ensuring compliance with CISA’s BOD 26-04 Prioritizing Security Updates Based on Risk (see URL in Notes) guidance and CISA’s “Forensics Triage Requirements” (see URL in Notes). Follow applicable BOD 26-04 guidance for cloud services or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Stakeholders are responsible for evaluating
Oct 2, 2026 · Catalog
Updated
libuser before 0.56.13-8 and 0.60 before 0.60-7, as used in the userhelper program in the usermode package, directly modifies /etc/passwd, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (inconsistent file state) by causing an error during the modification. NOTE: this issue can be combined with CVE-2015-3245 to gain privileges.
Required action
Apply mitigations in accordance with vendor instructions, ensuring compliance with CISA’s BOD 26-04 Prioritizing Security Updates Based on Risk (see URL in Notes) guidance and CISA’s “Forensics Triage Requirements” (see URL in Notes). Follow applicable BOD 26-04 guidance for cloud services or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Stakeholders are responsible for evaluating each asset's internet exposure and ensuring adherence to BOD 26-04 patching guidelines.
CISA due date Sep 9, 2026
Affected
- cpe libuser project/libuserversion unspecified
- cpe opensuse/opensuse13.2
- cpe redhat/enterprise linux5.0
- cpe redhat/enterprise linux6.0
- cpe redhat/enterprise linux7.0
- vendor Red Hat Libuserversion unspecified
Sources
- CISA KEVConfirmed exploitationCVE-2015-3246
Red Hat libuser contains a race condition vulnerability that allows authenticated local users to corrupt the /etc/passwd file to cause a denial of service or privilege escalation.
cisa.gov - CVE.orgVulnerability recordCVE-2015-3246
Official CVE identifier
cve.org - FIRST EPSSExploitation probabilityCVE-2015-3246
30-day exploitation probability 8.5%
first.org - Exploit DatabasePublic exploit reference37706
Public archive entry. The exploit body is not stored here.
exploit-db.com - Exploit DatabasePublic exploit reference44633
Public archive entry. The exploit body is not stored here.
exploit-db.com - Metasploit ModulesPublic exploit moduleexploit_linux/local/libuser_roothelper_priv_esc
Public module reference (great). Module source is not copied into this catalog.
rapid7.com - NIST NVDVulnerability recordCVE-2015-3246
libuser before 0.56.13-8 and 0.60 before 0.60-7, as used in the userhelper program in the usermode package, directly modifies /etc/passwd, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (inconsistent file state) by causing an error during the modification. NOTE: this issue
nvd.nist.gov