CVE-2002-0638
setpwnam.c in the util-linux package, as included in Red Hat Linux 7.3 and earlier, and other...
CVE-2002-0638 is a medium vulnerability (CVSS 6.2) in Redhat Linux, published August 12, 2002. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 0.53%, the 44th percentile. No source names a fixed version.
setpwnam.c in the util-linux package, as included in Red Hat Linux 7.3 and earlier, and other operating systems, does not properly lock a temporary file when modifying /etc/passwd, which may allow local users to gain privileges via a complex race condition that uses an open file descriptor in utility programs such as chfn and chsh.
Exploit likelihood
What each source reports
NVD Score used
6.2
setpwnam.c in the util-linux package, as included in Red Hat Linux 7.3 and earlier, and other operating systems, does not properly lock a temporary file when modifying /etc/passwd, which may allow local users to gain privileges via a complex race condition that uses an open file descriptor in utility programs such as chfn and chsh.
- Record
CVE-2002-0638- CVSS 2.0
- 6.2 Medium
AV:L/AC:H/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C - Updated
- 2026-11-02
CVE List No score
setpwnam.c in the util-linux package, as included in Red Hat Linux 7.3 and earlier, and other operating systems, does not properly lock a temporary file when modifying /etc/passwd, which may allow local users to gain privileges via a complex race condition that uses an open file descriptor in utility programs such as chfn and chsh.
- Record
CVE-2002-0638- Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2002-0632 No score
setpwnam.c in the util-linux package, as included in Red Hat Linux 7.3 and earlier, and other operating systems, does not properly lock a temporary file when modifying /etc/passwd, which may allow local users to gain privileges via a complex race condition that uses an open file descriptor in utility programs such as chfn and chsh.
- Record
EUVD-2002-0632- Updated
- 2026-11-03
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-gmmv-6j82-fwgw No score
setpwnam.c in the util-linux package, as included in Red Hat Linux 7.3 and earlier, and other...
setpwnam.c in the util-linux package, as included in Red Hat Linux 7.3 and earlier, and other operating systems, does not properly lock a temporary file when modifying /etc/passwd, which may allow local users to gain privileges via a complex race condition that uses an open file descriptor in utility programs such as chfn and chsh.
- Record
GHSA-gmmv-6j82-fwgw- Updated
- 2026-11-02
Affected products
History
| When | Changed | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-11-03 | aliases | EUVD |
| 2026-11-02 | created | CVE List, GitHub Advisories, NVD |
References
securityfocus.com/bid/5344
iss.net/security_center/static/9709.php
linux-mandrake.com/en/security/2002/MDKSA-2002-047.php
rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2002-132.html
kb.cert.org/vuls/id/405955
archives.neohapsis.com/archives/bugtraq/2002-07/0357.html
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distro.conectiva.com.br/atualizacoes?id=a&anuncio=000523
online.securityfocus.com/advisories/4320
archives.neohapsis.com/archives/bugtraq/2002-07/0396.html
marc.info?l=bugtraq&m=102795787713996&w=2
redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2002-137.html
osvdb.org/5164
nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2002-0638
github.com/advisories/GHSA-gmmv-6j82-fwgw