CVE-2026-48983: pam_usb: TOCTOU race condition in pad directory creation allows symlink substitution

Published Jun 18, 2026
·
Updated

pamusb provides hardware authentication for Linux using ordinary removable media. In versions prior to 0.9.2, a symlink race condition exists in per-device and per-user pad directory creation. pamusb uses a check-then-act pattern: it calls lstat() to test for existence and then calls mkdir() separately to create the directory. A local attacker can win the race between these calls by replacing the target path with a symlink to a directory they control. If successful, one-time pad files may be written to an attacker-controlled location, potentially exposing future pad values before use or disrupting authentication. 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·07:07 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·07:07 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeakness
Data Sourced
via NVD·08:16 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeakness

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2026-48983?

The severity of CVE-2026-48983 is rated as medium with a score of 5.8.

2

What is the risk associated with CVE-2026-48983?

CVE-2026-48983 has a risk score of 45, indicating a moderate level of concern.

3

How do I fix CVE-2026-48983?

To mitigate CVE-2026-48983, upgrade to pam_usb version 0.9.2 or later where the issue is resolved.

4

What type of vulnerability is CVE-2026-48983?

CVE-2026-48983 is classified as a race condition vulnerability.

5

How does CVE-2026-48983 affect pam_usb users?

CVE-2026-48983 allows a symlink substitution due to a TOCTOU race condition in pad directory creation, impacting users' security.

Contact

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