GHSA-gc6f-5hpq-ghxh: pam_usb: Heap out-of-bounds read in pusb_get_tty_from_display_server cmdline scan

Published Nov 11, 2026
·
Updated

pamusb provides hardware authentication for Linux using removable media. Prior to version 0.9.3, src/local.c (pusbgetttyfromdisplayserver) allocates a 4096-byte cmdline buffer, reads up to 4096 bytes from /proc//cmdline, then replaces every NUL separator with a space. When read(2) returns exactly 4096 bytes for any process the function inspects, the buffer ends without a terminator and the subsequent strstr() calls scan past the allocation boundary. The function is invoked during normal PAM authentication when DISPLAY is set, so the read fires for every process at auth time. Consequences are bounded: strstr output is a Boolean substring match (limited info-disclosure surface) but a hostile heap layout can produce a SIGSEGV that terminates the host PAM process. This issue has been patched in version 0.9.3.

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade pam_usb to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 0.9.3

Event History

Nov 11, 2026
CVE Published
via OSV·03:51 AM
Data Sourced
via OSV·03:51 AM
DescriptionSeverityWeakness

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