CVE-2026-48986

4.7 MEDIUM 0.1% exploit odds Fix listed Denial of service

What it is

pam_usb provides hardware authentication for Linux using removable media. In pam_usb 0.9.1 and earlier, usb_get_process_parent_id() can cause an infinite loop DoS because it does not initialize *ppid on failure. In pusb_local_login(), the same variable is reused as input and output in a process-tree while loop; if /proc/<pid>/stat cannot be read (for example, when an ancestor process exits during authentication), the PID is not updated and the loop does not terminate. This hangs the authenticating process (such as sudo, sshd, or login) until it is forcibly terminated. This issue has been fixed in version 0.9.2.

At a glance

Exploitability: Can be exploited locally on the machine with a low-privilege account. High risk of service disruption.
Exploit odds: 0.1% 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 18:16 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: 0.1% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
Severity: 4.7 MEDIUM (CVSS).
Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published: 2026-06-18 18:16 UTC
Last modified: 2026-10-26 11:10 UTC
Exploit probability: 0.1% · EPSS, next 30 days
Weakness: CWE-835
Record status: Deferred

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 4.7

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

Raw vector

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

Is it in your code?

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Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2026-48986.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2026-48986. 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