CVE-2015-3246: Red Hat Libuser

What is CVE-2015-3246?

libuser before 0.56.13-8 and 0.60 before 0.60-7, as used in the userhelper program in the usermode package, directly modifies /etc/passwd, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (inconsistent file state) by causing an error during the modification. NOTE: this issue can be combined with CVE-2015-3245 to gain privileges.

CVSS5.1 NVD 3.1

SeverityMEDIUM

Exploitation In the wild In CISA KEV

EPSS7% · P94

Triage statusActive Exploit

ActionPatch immediately

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

CWECWE-264, CWE-367

NVD published2015-08-11

NVD last modified2026-08-27

Timeline

2015-08-11Published to the U.S. National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
2026-08-26Added to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog
2026-08-27NVD record last updated
2026-09-09CISA federal remediation deadline (BOD 22-01)

CISA Known Exploited Vulnerability

Red Hat Libuser Race Condition Vulnerability

Added to KEV2026-08-26

Federal patch deadline2026-09-09

Known ransomware useUnknown

Affected product

Red Hat Libuser

NVD also lists CPE entries for: Opensuse, Redhat Enterprise Linux, Libuser Project Libuser

Remediation Steps

Apply the vendor security update for Red Hat Libuser as a priority.
Restrict network exposure of the affected service to trusted sources until patched.
Review logs and detections for indicators of exploitation.
Confirm fixed versions against the official vendor advisory before deploying.

References

Referenced in our briefings & reports

Vulnerability Priority Report – Week 4 of August 2026 (August 24 – 30)

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🤖 This CVE page is generated by defend.network from NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS, and our verified daily briefings. Severity and exploitation data come from official sources; always verify remediation steps against the official vendor advisory before acting in production.