CVE-2015-3245
Incomplete blacklist vulnerability in the chfn function in libuser before 0.56.13-8 and 0.60...
Incomplete blacklist vulnerability in the chfn function in libuser before 0.56.13-8 and 0.60 before 0.60-7, as used in the userhelper program in the usermode package, allows local users to cause a denial of service (/etc/passwd corruption) via a newline character in the GECOS field.
Exploit likelihood
What each source reports
NVD Score used
Incomplete blacklist vulnerability in the chfn function in libuser before 0.56.13-8 and 0.60 before 0.60-7, as used in the userhelper program in the usermode package, allows local users to cause a denial of service (/etc/passwd corruption) via a newline character in the GECOS field.
- Record
CVE-2015-3245- CVSS 2.0
- 2.1 Low
AV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:N/A:P - Weakness
- CWE-20
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
CVE List No score
Incomplete blacklist vulnerability in the chfn function in libuser before 0.56.13-8 and 0.60 before 0.60-7, as used in the userhelper program in the usermode package, allows local users to cause a denial of service (/etc/passwd corruption) via a newline character in the GECOS field.
- Record
CVE-2015-3245- Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2015-3300 No score
Incomplete blacklist vulnerability in the chfn function in libuser before 0.56.13-8 and 0.60 before 0.60-7, as used in the userhelper program in the usermode package, allows local users to cause a denial of service (/etc/passwd corruption) via a newline character in the GECOS field.
- Record
EUVD-2015-3300- Updated
- 2026-11-03
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-q4h8-6f3r-mvww No score
Incomplete blacklist vulnerability in the chfn function in libuser before 0.56.13-8 and 0.60...
Incomplete blacklist vulnerability in the chfn function in libuser before 0.56.13-8 and 0.60 before 0.60-7, as used in the userhelper program in the usermode package, allows local users to cause a denial of service (/etc/passwd corruption) via a newline character in the GECOS field.
- Record
GHSA-q4h8-6f3r-mvww- Weakness
- CWE-20
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSV No score
Incomplete blacklist vulnerability in the chfn function in libuser before 0.56.13-8 and 0.60 before 0.60-7, as used in the userhelper program in the usermode package, allows local users to cause a denial of service (/etc/passwd corruption) via a newline character in the GECOS field.
- Record
CVE-2015-3245- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVDEBIAN-CVE-2015-3245 No score
Incomplete blacklist vulnerability in the chfn function in libuser before 0.56.13-8 and 0.60 before 0.60-7, as used in the userhelper program in the usermode package, allows local users to cause a denial of service (/etc/passwd corruption) via a newline character in the GECOS field.
- Record
DEBIAN-CVE-2015-3245- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVMGASA-2015-0278 No score
Updated libuser package fixes security vulnerabilities
Two flaws were found in the way the libuser library handled the /etc/passwd file. A local attacker could use an application compiled against libuser (for example, userhelper) to manipulate the /etc/passwd file, which could result in a denial of service or possibly allow the attacker to escalate their privileges to root (CVE-2015-3245, CVE-2015-3246).
- Record
MGASA-2015-0278- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVUBUNTU-CVE-2015-3245 No score
Incomplete blacklist vulnerability in the chfn function in libuser before 0.56.13-8 and 0.60 before 0.60-7, as used in the userhelper program in the usermode package, allows local users to cause a denial of service (/etc/passwd corruption) via a newline character in the GECOS field.
- Record
UBUNTU-CVE-2015-3245- Updated
- 2026-11-04
OSVUSN-8987-1 No score
libuser vulnerabilities
It was discovered that libuser did not properly validate the GECOS field when changing user information. A local attacker could possibly use this issue to corrupt the passwd file, resulting in a denial of service. (CVE-2015-3245)
It was discovered that libuser modified the passwd file in place when updating user information. A local attacker could possibly use this issue to cause an inconsistent file state, resulting in a denial of service, or possibly escalate privileges. (CVE-2015-3246)
- Record
USN-8987-1- Updated
- 2026-11-04
Affected products
Affected packages
| Package | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
libuserDebian:12 |
before 1:0.62~dfsg-0.1 | 1:0.62~dfsg-0.1 |
libuserDebian:13 |
before 1:0.62~dfsg-0.1 | 1:0.62~dfsg-0.1 |
libuserDebian:14 |
before 1:0.62~dfsg-0.1 | 1:0.62~dfsg-0.1 |
libuserDebian:7 From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 1:0.56.9.dfsg.1-1.2+deb7u1, plus listed versions 1:0.56.9.dfsg.1-1.2 |
1:0.56.9.dfsg.1-1.2+deb7u1 |
libuserMageia:4 From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 0.60-2.1.mga4 | 0.60-2.1.mga4 |
libuserMageia:5 From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 0.60-5.1.mga5 | 0.60-5.1.mga5 |
libuserRed Hat:enterprise_linux:6::client From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 0:0.56.13-8.el6_7 | 0:0.56.13-8.el6_7 |
libuser-debuginfoRed Hat:enterprise_linux:6::client From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 0:0.56.13-8.el6_7 | 0:0.56.13-8.el6_7 |
libuser-pythonRed Hat:enterprise_linux:6::client From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 0:0.56.13-8.el6_7 | 0:0.56.13-8.el6_7 |
libuser-develRed Hat:enterprise_linux:6::client From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 0:0.56.13-8.el6_7 | 0:0.56.13-8.el6_7 |
Show 32 moreShow less
| Package | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
libuserRed Hat:enterprise_linux:6::computenode From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 0:0.56.13-8.el6_7 | 0:0.56.13-8.el6_7 |
libuser-debuginfoRed Hat:enterprise_linux:6::computenode From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 0:0.56.13-8.el6_7 | 0:0.56.13-8.el6_7 |
libuser-pythonRed Hat:enterprise_linux:6::computenode From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 0:0.56.13-8.el6_7 | 0:0.56.13-8.el6_7 |
libuser-develRed Hat:enterprise_linux:6::computenode From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 0:0.56.13-8.el6_7 | 0:0.56.13-8.el6_7 |
libuserRed Hat:enterprise_linux:6::server From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 0:0.56.13-8.el6_7 | 0:0.56.13-8.el6_7 |
libuser-debuginfoRed Hat:enterprise_linux:6::server From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 0:0.56.13-8.el6_7 | 0:0.56.13-8.el6_7 |
libuser-pythonRed Hat:enterprise_linux:6::server From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 0:0.56.13-8.el6_7 | 0:0.56.13-8.el6_7 |
libuser-develRed Hat:enterprise_linux:6::server From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 0:0.56.13-8.el6_7 | 0:0.56.13-8.el6_7 |
libuserRed Hat:enterprise_linux:6::workstation From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 0:0.56.13-8.el6_7 | 0:0.56.13-8.el6_7 |
libuser-debuginfoRed Hat:enterprise_linux:6::workstation From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 0:0.56.13-8.el6_7 | 0:0.56.13-8.el6_7 |
libuser-pythonRed Hat:enterprise_linux:6::workstation From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 0:0.56.13-8.el6_7 | 0:0.56.13-8.el6_7 |
libuser-develRed Hat:enterprise_linux:6::workstation From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 0:0.56.13-8.el6_7 | 0:0.56.13-8.el6_7 |
libuserRed Hat:enterprise_linux:7::client From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 0:0.60-7.el7_1 | 0:0.60-7.el7_1 |
libuser-debuginfoRed Hat:enterprise_linux:7::client From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 0:0.60-7.el7_1 | 0:0.60-7.el7_1 |
libuser-pythonRed Hat:enterprise_linux:7::client From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 0:0.60-7.el7_1 | 0:0.60-7.el7_1 |
libuser-develRed Hat:enterprise_linux:7::client From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 0:0.60-7.el7_1 | 0:0.60-7.el7_1 |
libuserRed Hat:enterprise_linux:7::computenode From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 0:0.60-7.el7_1 | 0:0.60-7.el7_1 |
libuser-debuginfoRed Hat:enterprise_linux:7::computenode From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 0:0.60-7.el7_1 | 0:0.60-7.el7_1 |
libuser-pythonRed Hat:enterprise_linux:7::computenode From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 0:0.60-7.el7_1 | 0:0.60-7.el7_1 |
libuser-develRed Hat:enterprise_linux:7::computenode From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 0:0.60-7.el7_1 | 0:0.60-7.el7_1 |
libuserRed Hat:enterprise_linux:7::server From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 0:0.60-7.ael7b_1 | 0:0.60-7.ael7b_1 |
libuser-debuginfoRed Hat:enterprise_linux:7::server From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 0:0.60-7.ael7b_1 | 0:0.60-7.ael7b_1 |
libuser-pythonRed Hat:enterprise_linux:7::server From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 0:0.60-7.ael7b_1 | 0:0.60-7.ael7b_1 |
libuser-develRed Hat:enterprise_linux:7::server From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 0:0.60-7.ael7b_1 | 0:0.60-7.ael7b_1 |
libuserRed Hat:enterprise_linux:7::workstation From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 0:0.60-7.el7_1 | 0:0.60-7.el7_1 |
libuser-debuginfoRed Hat:enterprise_linux:7::workstation From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 0:0.60-7.el7_1 | 0:0.60-7.el7_1 |
libuser-pythonRed Hat:enterprise_linux:7::workstation From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 0:0.60-7.el7_1 | 0:0.60-7.el7_1 |
libuser-develRed Hat:enterprise_linux:7::workstation From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 0:0.60-7.el7_1 | 0:0.60-7.el7_1 |
libuserUbuntu:Pro:14.04:LTS |
before 1:0.56.9.dfsg.1-1.2ubuntu2+esm1, plus listed versions 1:0.56.9.dfsg.1-1.2ubuntu2 |
1:0.56.9.dfsg.1-1.2ubuntu2+esm1 |
libuserUbuntu:Pro:16.04:LTS |
before 1:0.60~dfsg-1.2ubuntu0.1~esm1, plus listed versions 1:0.60~dfsg-1.2 |
1:0.60~dfsg-1.2ubuntu0.1~esm1 |
libuserUbuntu:25.10 |
All versions, plus listed versions 1:0.64+git20241106~dfsg-21:0.64+git20241106~dfsg-3 |
None known |
libuserUbuntu:Pro:16.04:LTS From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 1:0.60~dfsg-1.2ubuntu0.1~esm1, plus listed versions 1:0.60~dfsg-1.2 |
1:0.60~dfsg-1.2ubuntu0.1~esm1 |
Public exploits
Links only. Every CVE stores no exploit code.
| Source | Link | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Metasploit | Libuser roothelper Privilege Escalation | 2015-07-24 |
| Exploit-DB | Libuser Library - Multiple Vulnerabilities | 2015-07-27 |
| Exploit-DB | Libuser - 'roothelper' Local Privilege Escalation (Metasploit) | 2018-05-16 |
History
| Recorded | Changed | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| affected | ||
| affected, aliases, references | OSV | |
| affected, exploits, facts | OSV | |
| aliases | EUVD | |
| first indexed | CVE List, Exploit-DB, GitHub Advisories, Metasploit, NVD, OSV |
Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.
In short
CVE-2015-3245 is a low vulnerability (CVSS 2.1) in Redhat Libuser, published July 24, 2015. Public exploit code exists. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 5.39%, the 92nd percentile. Fixed in libuser 1:0.62~dfsg-0.1.
References
lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2015-July/162947.html
exploit-db.com/exploits/44633
access.redhat.com/articles/1537873
rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2015-1482.html
qualys.com/2015/07/23/cve-2015-3245-cve-2015-3246/cve-2015-3245-cve-2015-3246.txt
Show 26 moreShow less
securitytracker.com/id/1033040
securityfocus.com/bid/76021
nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2015-3245
bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1233043
github.com/advisories/GHSA-q4h8-6f3r-mvww
security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2015-3245
advisories.mageia.org/MGASA-2015-0278.html
bugs.mageia.org/show_bug.cgi?id=16459
securityblog.redhat.com/2015/07/23/libuser-vulnerabilities
openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2015/07/23/16
security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/advisories/2015/rhsa-2015_1482.json
cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2015-3245
cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2015-3245