CVE-2025-24531: OpenSC project pam_pkcs11 · Return of Wrong Status Code
Affects OpenSC project pam_pkcs11Source CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 6.7 Medium : upgrade to 0.6.13 when convenient.
Data as of 25 Oct 2026, 19:02 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.2% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 13% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 0.6.13
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:NExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 16 Jan 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 2026-10-25.
What to do
Upgrade OpenSC project pam_pkcs11 to 0.6.13.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| OpenSC projectpam_pkcs11 | Affected
| Fixed in
|
GitHubopensc/pam_pkcs11pkg:github/opensc/pam_pkcs11Other threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
1. Upgrade pam_pkcs11 to version 0.6.13 or later once the patch is released, as it will correct the improper return code handling in pam_sm_authenticate(). 2. If you cannot patch yet, implement compensating controls such as restricting local access to systems using pam_pkcs11, enforcing strict physical security, and monitoring authentication logs for anomalies indicating bypass attempts. 3. Conduct thorough audits of smartcard authentication logs to detect unusual authentication successes or failures that may indicate exploitation attempts. 4. Employ multi-factor authentication methods that do not solely rely on pam_pkcs11 or smartcards to reduce risk exposure. 5. Educate system administrators and security teams about this vulnerability to ensure rapid response and incident handling if suspicious activity is detected. 6. Review and harden PAM configuration files to ensure no fallback or alternative authentication methods inadvertently allow bypass. 7. Coordinate with vendors and security communities to obtain patches promptly and validate their effectiveness in test environments before deployment.
Description
In OpenSC pam_pkcs11 before 0.6.13, pam_sm_authenticate() wrongly returns PAM_IGNORE in many error situations (such as an error triggered by a smartcard before login), allowing authentication bypass.
References
- github.com/OpenSC/pam_pkcs11/security/advisories/GHSA-7mf6-rg36-qgch (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/OpenSC/pam_pkcs11/releases (opens in a new tab)
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/02/06/3 (opens in a new tab)
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/02/06/3 (opens in a new tab)
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/02/06/7 (opens in a new tab)