CVE-2026-48981

6.7 MEDIUM 0.2% exploit odds Fix listed Other

What it is

pam_usb provides hardware authentication for Linux using ordinary removable media. In versions prior to 0.9.2, pam_usb calls xmlReadFile() with flags=0 when loading the configuration file, allowing libxml2 to process external entity references (XXE), potentially making outbound network connections or local file reads at XML parse time from the context of the authenticating process. The vulnerability requires the configuration file to contain crafted XML entity references. Since pam_usb.conf is root-owned, direct exploitation requires prior write access to the config, but the defence-in-depth impact is significant given that pam_usb.so runs in setuid contexts (sudo, su). This issue has been fixed in version 0.9.2.

At a glance

Exploitability: Can be exploited locally on the machine with an admin-level account. High risk of data exposure.
Exploit odds: 0.2% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).
Fix: A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

2026-06-18 20:16 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2026-10-26 11:10 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
Exploit odds: 0.2% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
Severity: 6.7 MEDIUM (CVSS).
Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published: 2026-06-18 20:16 UTC
Last modified: 2026-10-26 11:10 UTC
Exploit probability: 0.2% · EPSS, next 30 days
Weakness: CWE-611 · XML external entity
Record status: Deferred

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 6.7

Attack vector: Local
Complexity: High
Privileges needed: High
User interaction: None
Scope: Changed
Confidentiality: High
Integrity: Low
Availability: Low

Raw vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:L/A:L

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-2026-48981.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2026-48981. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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Fix and advisories

References

NVD record · CVE.org record