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CVE-2010-3431

The privilege-dropping implementation in the (1) pam_env and (2) pam_mail modules in Linux-PAM ...

1.9 LowFix available

The privilege-dropping implementation in the (1) pam_env and (2) pam_mail modules in Linux-PAM (aka pam) 1.1.2 does not check the return value of the setfsuid system call, which might allow local users to obtain sensitive information by leveraging an unintended uid, as demonstrated by a symlink attack on the .pam_environment file in a user's home directory. NOTE: this vulnerability exists because of an incomplete fix for CVE-2010-3435.

Exploit likelihood

0.35%Down 1.2 points since Feb 4, 2022
90%50%10%1%

What each source reports

NVD Score used 1.9

The privilege-dropping implementation in the (1) pam_env and (2) pam_mail modules in Linux-PAM (aka pam) 1.1.2 does not check the return value of the setfsuid system call, which might allow local users to obtain sensitive information by leveraging an unintended uid, as demonstrated by a symlink attack on the .pam_environment file in a user's home directory. NOTE: this vulnerability exists because of an incomplete fix for CVE-2010-3435.

Record
CVE-2010-3431
CVSS 2.0
1.9 LowAV:L/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:N/A:N
Updated
2026-11-02
CVE List No score

The privilege-dropping implementation in the (1) pam_env and (2) pam_mail modules in Linux-PAM (aka pam) 1.1.2 does not check the return value of the setfsuid system call, which might allow local users to obtain sensitive information by leveraging an unintended uid, as demonstrated by a symlink attack on the .pam_environment file in a user's home directory. NOTE: this vulnerability exists because of an incomplete fix for CVE-2010-3435.

Record
CVE-2010-3431
Updated
2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2010-3429 No score

The privilege-dropping implementation in the (1) pam_env and (2) pam_mail modules in Linux-PAM (aka pam) 1.1.2 does not check the return value of the setfsuid system call, which might allow local users to obtain sensitive information by leveraging an unintended uid, as demonstrated by a symlink attack on the .pam_environment file in a user's home directory. NOTE: this vulnerability exists because of an incomplete fix for CVE-2010-3435.

Record
EUVD-2010-3429
Updated
2026-11-03
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-65hr-mfq3-4rjr No score

The privilege-dropping implementation in the (1) pam_env and (2) pam_mail modules in Linux-PAM ...

The privilege-dropping implementation in the (1) pam_env and (2) pam_mail modules in Linux-PAM (aka pam) 1.1.2 does not check the return value of the setfsuid system call, which might allow local users to obtain sensitive information by leveraging an unintended uid, as demonstrated by a symlink attack on the .pam_environment file in a user's home directory. NOTE: this vulnerability exists because of an incomplete fix for CVE-2010-3435.

Record
GHSA-65hr-mfq3-4rjr
Updated
2026-11-02
OSVBELL-CVE-2010-3431 1.9

CVE-2010-3431 does not affect BellSoft software

Record
BELL-CVE-2010-3431
CVSS 2.0
1.9 LowAV:L/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:N/A:N
Updated
2026-11-02
OSV No score

The privilege-dropping implementation in the (1) pam_env and (2) pam_mail modules in Linux-PAM (aka pam) 1.1.2 does not check the return value of the setfsuid system call, which might allow local users to obtain sensitive information by leveraging an unintended uid, as demonstrated by a symlink attack on the .pam_environment file in a user's home directory. NOTE: this vulnerability exists because of an incomplete fix for CVE-2010-3435.

Record
CVE-2010-3431
Updated
2026-11-02
OSVDEBIAN-CVE-2010-3431 No score

The privilege-dropping implementation in the (1) pam_env and (2) pam_mail modules in Linux-PAM (aka pam) 1.1.2 does not check the return value of the setfsuid system call, which might allow local users to obtain sensitive information by leveraging an unintended uid, as demonstrated by a symlink attack on the .pam_environment file in a user's home directory. NOTE: this vulnerability exists because of an incomplete fix for CVE-2010-3435.

Record
DEBIAN-CVE-2010-3431
Updated
2026-11-02
OSVopenSUSE-SU-2024:10405-1 No score

pam-1.3.0-3.4 on GA media

These are all security issues fixed in the pam-1.3.0-3.4 package on the GA media of openSUSE Tumbleweed.

Record
openSUSE-SU-2024:10405-1
Updated
2026-11-02

Affected products

Affected packages

Affected packages
PackageAffectedFixed
pam
Debian:12
before 1.1.3-1
1.1.3-1
pam
Debian:13
before 1.1.3-1
1.1.3-1
pam
Debian:14
before 1.1.3-1
1.1.3-1
pam
openSUSE:Tumbleweed
before 1.3.0-3.4
1.3.0-3.4

History

History
RecordedChangedSources
aliasesEUVD
first indexedCVE List, GitHub Advisories, NVD, OSV

Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.

In short

CVE-2010-3431 is a low vulnerability (CVSS 1.9) in Linux-pam, published January 24, 2011. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 0.35%, the 28th percentile. Fixed in pam 1.1.3-1.

References

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