CVE-2026-48982: pam_usb: Missing O_EXCL on pad temp file creation allows concurrent update race

Published Jun 18, 2026
·
Updated

pamusb provides hardware authentication for Linux using ordinary removable media. In versions prior to 0.9.2, when updating a one-time pad file, a temporary file is created using open() without the OEXCL flag. Without OEXCL, the create operation is not atomic: two concurrent processes racing to update the same pad may both succeed in opening the file, with the second write silently overwriting the first. The one-time pad is the core replay-prevention mechanism of pamusb. A successful race could result in the stored pad value diverging from what either process expected, potentially causing authentication failures or, in a precisely timed attack, creating a window for pad reuse. This issue has been fixed in version 0.9.2.

Affected Software

1 affected component
pam_usb pam_usb<0.9.2

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade pam_usb to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 0.9.2

Event History

Jun 18, 2026
CVE Published
via MITRE·07:01 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·07:01 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeakness
Data Sourced
via NVD·08:16 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeakness

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the risk level of CVE-2026-48982?

The risk level of CVE-2026-48982 is assessed at 45.

2

What is the severity score of CVE-2026-48982?

The severity score of CVE-2026-48982 is medium at 5.8.

3

What causes the vulnerability CVE-2026-48982?

CVE-2026-48982 is caused by the absence of the O_EXCL flag when creating a temporary pad file, leading to a race condition.

4

How can I remediate CVE-2026-48982?

To remediate CVE-2026-48982, upgrade to pam_usb version 0.9.2 or later.

5

What impact does CVE-2026-48982 have on security?

CVE-2026-48982 can lead to unauthorized access due to potential concurrent modifications of sensitive pad files.

Contact

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