CVE-2025-6018

Public Exploit
Pam-config: lpe from unprivileged to allow_active in pam

Description

A Local Privilege Escalation (LPE) vulnerability has been discovered in pam-config within Linux Pluggable Authentication Modules (PAM). This flaw allows an unprivileged local attacker (for example, a user logged in via SSH) to obtain the elevated privileges normally reserved for a physically present, "allow_active" user. The highest risk is that the attacker can then perform all allow_active yes Polkit actions, which are typically restricted to console users, potentially gaining unauthorized control over system configurations, services, or other sensitive operations.

Remediation

Workaround:

  • Currently, there is no mitigation available for this vulnerability.

Category

7.8
CVSS
Severity: High
CVSS 3.1 •
EPSS 0.03%
Affected: Red Hat Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
Affected: Red Hat Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
Affected: Red Hat Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9
Published at:
Updated at:

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the severity of CVE-2025-6018?
CVE-2025-6018 has been scored as a high severity vulnerability.
How to fix CVE-2025-6018?
As a workaround for remediating CVE-2025-6018: Currently, there is no mitigation available for this vulnerability.
Is CVE-2025-6018 being actively exploited in the wild?
It is possible that CVE-2025-6018 is being exploited or will be exploited in a near future based on public information. 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-2025-6018?
CVE-2025-6018 affects Red Hat Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7, Red Hat Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8, Red Hat Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9.
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