CVE-2026-44711

pam_usb: Symlink attacks on pad directory and pad files enable authentication bypass and root file corruption

HIGH
7.9
CVSS Score
Published: May 27, 2026 at 08:18 PM UTC
Updated: October 26, 2026 at 12:10 PM UTC
1 product affected across 1 vendorPam USB

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Severity
HIGH7.9
Exploit prediction
EPSS 0.2%
SSVC
PoC

Description

pam_usb provides hardware authentication for Linux using ordinary removable media. Prior to 0.8.7, symlink attacks on pad directory and pad files enable authentication bypass and root file corruption. This vulnerability is fixed in 0.8.7.

Affected

Our own answer: ranges merged, affected separated from platform-only, with confidence and review flags.

v < 0.8.7
Affected range stops below 0.8.7, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Remediation

No guide yet

No remediation guidance has been written for this CVE yet, and no fixed version or vendor advisory is recorded against it.

SSVC — Action Prioritization

SSVCPoCNot automatableTotal impact

SSVC signals action urgency (what to patch first), separate from CVSS which measures severity.

CVSS

7.9HIGHGitHub_M
Attack Vector
LOCAL
Complexity
LOW
Privileges
LOW
User Interaction
REQUIRED
Scope
CHANGED
Confidentiality
NONE
Integrity
HIGH
Availability
HIGH
Vector?

Quick Info

StatusDEFERRED
CWE
CWE-59CWE-287

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