// For flags

CVE-2025-6020

Linux-pam: linux-pam directory traversal

Severity Score

7.8
*CVSS v3.1

Exploit Likelihood

*EPSS

Affected Versions

*CPE

Public Exploits

0
*Multiple Sources

Exploited in Wild

-
*KEV

Decision

Track*
*SSVC
Descriptions

A flaw was found in linux-pam. The module pam_namespace may use access user-controlled paths without proper protection, allowing local users to elevate their privileges to root via multiple symlink attacks and race conditions.

Olivier BAL-PETRE discovered that the PAM pam_namespace module incorrectly handled user-controlled paths. In environments where pam_namespace is used, a local attacker could possibly use this issue to escalate their privileges to root.

*Credits: Red Hat would like to thank Olivier BAL-PETRE (ANSSI - French Cybersecurity Agency) for reporting this issue.
CVSS Scores
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Authentication
Single
Confidentiality
Complete
Integrity
Complete
Availability
Complete
* Common Vulnerability Scoring System
SSVC
  • Decision:Track*
Exploitation
None
Automatable
No
Tech. Impact
Total
* Organization's Worst-case Scenario
Timeline
  • 2025-06-11 CVE Reserved
  • 2025-06-17 CVE Published
  • 2025-06-23 EPSS Updated
  • 2025-06-26 CVE Updated
  • ---------- Exploited in Wild
  • ---------- KEV Due Date
  • ---------- First Exploit
CWE
  • CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
CAPEC
Affected Vendors, Products, and Versions
Vendor Product Version Other Status
Vendor Product Version Other Status <-- --> Vendor Product Version Other Status
Oracle
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 Linux
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*-
Affected
Red Hat
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 Enterprise Linux
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Affected
Redhat
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 Enterprise Linux
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*-
Affected
Canonical
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 Ubuntu Linux
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*-
Affected
Debian
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 Debian Linux
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*-
Affected
Fedoraproject
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 Fedora
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Affected
Oracle
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 Linux
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Affected
Redhat
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 Enterprise Linux
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Affected
Redhat
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 Rhel Eus
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*-
Affected