CVE-2020-27743: Critical severity pam_tacplus vulnerability

Published Oct 26, 2020
·
Updated

libtac in pamtacplus through 1.5.1 lacks a check for a failure of RANDbytes()/RANDpseudobytes(). This could lead to use of a non-random/predictable sessionid.

Affected Software

1 affected component
Pam Tacplus Project Pam Tacplus<=1.5.1

Event History

Oct 26, 2020
CVE Published
via MITRE·09:40 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·09:40 PM
Description

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is CVE-2020-27743?

CVE-2020-27743 is a vulnerability in libtac, a component of pam_tacplus, versions up to and including 1.5.1.

2

What is the severity of CVE-2020-27743?

CVE-2020-27743 has a severity value of 9.8 (Critical).

3

How does CVE-2020-27743 affect me?

If you are using pam_tacplus version up to and including 1.5.1, and RAND_bytes()/RAND_pseudo_bytes() fails, this vulnerability could lead to the use of a non-random or predictable session_id, compromising the security of your system.

4

Is there a fix for CVE-2020-27743?

Yes, you can fix CVE-2020-27743 by updating to a version of pam_tacplus that is higher than 1.5.1.

5

Where can I find more information about CVE-2020-27743?

You can find more information about CVE-2020-27743 on the GitHub pull request (https://github.com/kravietz/pam_tacplus/pull/163) and on the RFC publication (https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc8907).

Contact

SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
132 Wickham Terrace
Fortitude Valley,
QLD 4006, Australia
info@secalerts.co
By using SecAlerts services, you agree to our services end-user license agreement. This website is safeguarded by reCAPTCHA and governed by the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. All names, logos, and brands of products are owned by their respective owners, and any usage of these names, logos, and brands for identification purposes only does not imply endorsement. If you possess any content that requires removal, please get in touch with us.
© 2026 SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
ABN: 70 645 966 203, ACN: 645 966 203