CVE-2025-24032

PAM-PKCS#11 vulnerable to authentication bypass with default value for `cert_policy` (`none`)

Description

PAM-PKCS#11 is a Linux-PAM login module that allows a X.509 certificate based user login. Prior to version 0.6.13, if cert_policy is set to none (the default value), then pam_pkcs11 will only check if the user is capable of logging into the token. An attacker may create a different token with the user's public data (e.g. the user's certificate) and a PIN known to the attacker. If no signature with the private key is required, then the attacker may now login as user with that created token. The default to *not* check the private key's signature has been changed with commit commi6638576892b59a99389043c90a1e7dd4d783b921, so that all versions starting with pam_pkcs11-0.6.0 should be affected. As a workaround, in `pam_pkcs11.conf`, set at least `cert_policy = signature;`.

Category

9.2
CVSS
Severity: Critical
CVSS 4.0 •
EPSS 0.21%
Affected: OpenSC pam_pkcs11
Published at:
Updated at:

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the severity of CVE-2025-24032?
CVE-2025-24032 has been scored as a critical severity vulnerability.
How to fix CVE-2025-24032?
To fix CVE-2025-24032, make sure you are using an up-to-date version of the affected component(s) by checking the vendor release notes. As for now, there are no other specific guidelines available.
Is CVE-2025-24032 being actively exploited in the wild?
As for now, there are no information to confirm that CVE-2025-24032 is being actively exploited. According to its EPSS score, there is a ~0% probability that this vulnerability will be exploited by malicious actors in the next 30 days.
What software or system is affected by CVE-2025-24032?
CVE-2025-24032 affects OpenSC pam_pkcs11.
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