CVE-2015-3246
What it is
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.
At a glance
- Exploitability
- Can be exploited locally on the machine without logging in. High risk of data exposure, data tampering, service disruption.
- In the wild
- CISA lists this as exploited in real attacks. Treat as urgent.
- Fix
- A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.
Timeline
- ReservedThe CVE id was reserved by its CNA
- PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
- 2026-08-26 Exploited in the wildAdded to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list
- 2026-09-09 Remediation deadlineCISA's due date for federal agencies to fix it
- Last updatedMost recent change to the record
Why it ranks here
- Exploited in the wild: yes, CISA lists it. This puts it above everything that is not.
- Exploit odds: 8.5% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Severity: 7.4 HIGH (CVSS).
- Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.
Details
- Published
- Last modified
- Added to CISA KEV
- 2026-08-26
- Exploit probability
- 8.5% · EPSS, next 30 days
- Weakness
- CWE-264
- Record status
- Analyzed
Affected
- Redhat Enterprise Linux 5.0
- Redhat Enterprise Linux 6.0
- Redhat Enterprise Linux 7.0
- Opensuse 13.2
- Libuser Project Libuser < 0.56.13-8
- Libuser Project Libuser < 0.60-7
Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 7.4
- Attack vector
- Local
- Complexity
- High
- Privileges needed
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Scope
- Unchanged
- Confidentiality
- High
- Integrity
- High
- Availability
- High
Raw vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Is it in your code?
Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.
Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2015-3246.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2015-3246. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.
Fix and advisories
- http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2015-1482.html
- http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2015-1483.html
- https://access.redhat.com/articles/1537873
- http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2015-1482.html
- http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2015-1483.html
- https://access.redhat.com/articles/1537873
References
- http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2015-August/163044.html
- http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2015-July/162947.html
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2015-08/msg00000.html
- http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2015-1482.html
- http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2015-1483.html
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/76022
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1033040
- https://access.redhat.com/articles/1537873
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/44633/
- https://www.qualys.com/2015/07/23/cve-2015-3245-cve-2015-3246/cve-2015-3245-cve-2015-3246.txt
- http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2015-August/163044.html
- http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2015-July/162947.html
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2015-08/msg00000.html
- http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2015-1482.html
- http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2015-1483.html
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/76022
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1033040
- https://access.redhat.com/articles/1537873
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/44633/
- https://www.qualys.com/2015/07/23/cve-2015-3245-cve-2015-3246/cve-2015-3245-cve-2015-3246.txt
- https://blog.talosintelligence.com/uat-10147-chinese-speaking-adversary-integrates-agentic-ai-into-post-compromise-operations/
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2015-3246