CVE-2025-6018: Incorrect Authorization
A Local Privilege Escalation (LPE) vulnerability has been discovered in pam-config within Linux Pluggable Authentication Modules (PAM). This flaw allows an unprivileged local attacker (for example, a user logged in via SSH) to obtain the elevated privileges normally reserved for a physically present, "allow_active" user. The highest risk is that the attacker can then perform all allow_active yes Polkit actions, which are typically restricted to console users, potentially gaining unauthorized control over system configurations, services, or other sensitive operations.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This vulnerability in pam-config of Linux Pluggable Authentication Modules (PAM) permits an unprivileged local attacker to escalate privileges by bypassing authorization checks that normally restrict certain Polkit actions to physically present users with 'allow_active' status. Exploiting this flaw, an attacker can execute privileged Polkit actions, which may lead to unauthorized control over system services and configurations. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 7.8, reflecting high severity with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The vulnerability affects version 0 of the affected software as stated. No known exploits are reported in the wild. The vendor advisory from Red Hat is available but does not explicitly mention patch status or remediation details.
Potential Impact
An unprivileged local attacker can gain elevated privileges normally reserved for physically present users, allowing execution of Polkit actions that control system configurations and services. This can lead to unauthorized system control, compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the Red Hat advisory at https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2025-6018 for current remediation guidance. Until a patch or official fix is available, restrict local access to trusted users only and monitor for suspicious local activity related to Polkit actions.
CVE-2025-6018: Incorrect Authorization
Description
A Local Privilege Escalation (LPE) vulnerability has been discovered in pam-config within Linux Pluggable Authentication Modules (PAM). This flaw allows an unprivileged local attacker (for example, a user logged in via SSH) to obtain the elevated privileges normally reserved for a physically present, "allow_active" user. The highest risk is that the attacker can then perform all allow_active yes Polkit actions, which are typically restricted to console users, potentially gaining unauthorized control over system configurations, services, or other sensitive operations.
CVSS v3.1
Score 7.8high
Affected software
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
This vulnerability in pam-config of Linux Pluggable Authentication Modules (PAM) permits an unprivileged local attacker to escalate privileges by bypassing authorization checks that normally restrict certain Polkit actions to physically present users with 'allow_active' status. Exploiting this flaw, an attacker can execute privileged Polkit actions, which may lead to unauthorized control over system services and configurations. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 7.8, reflecting high severity with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The vulnerability affects version 0 of the affected software as stated. No known exploits are reported in the wild. The vendor advisory from Red Hat is available but does not explicitly mention patch status or remediation details.
Potential Impact
An unprivileged local attacker can gain elevated privileges normally reserved for physically present users, allowing execution of Polkit actions that control system configurations and services. This can lead to unauthorized system control, compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the Red Hat advisory at https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2025-6018 for current remediation guidance. Until a patch or official fix is available, restrict local access to trusted users only and monitor for suspicious local activity related to Polkit actions.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.1
- Assigner Short Name
- redhat
- Date Reserved
- 2025-06-11T22:14:44.782Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Vendor Advisory Urls
- [{"url":"https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2025-6018","vendor":"Red Hat"}]
Threat ID: 6880fd19ad5a09ad00269657
Added to database: 07/23/2025, 15:17:45 UTC
Last enriched: 07/02/2026, 21:58:36 UTC
Last updated: 09/10/2026, 19:36:51 UTC
Views: 207
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