CVE-2026-41651: PackageKit · Time-of-check Time-of-use (TOCTOU) Race Condition
Affects PackageKitSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 8.8 High · fixed in 1.3.5 : patch PackageKit soon.
Data as of 12 Nov 2026, 01:03 UTC
Sources agree
| CNA (GitHub_M) | CVSS 3.1 | 8.8 |
|---|---|---|
| ADP (redhat-SADP) | CVSS 3.1 | 8.8 |
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 1.3.5
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 22 Apr 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponized: 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 11 Nov 2026.
What to do
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| PackageKit PackageKit | Affected
| Fixed in– |
AI-suggested
A fix is available in PackageKit version 1.3.5. Until systems are updated, the vendor recommends masking the PackageKit service to mitigate the vulnerability. This can be done by running 'sudo systemctl stop packagekit.service' and 'sudo systemctl mask packagekit.service'. Note that masking PackageKit will cause graphical package managers such as GNOME Software to stop functioning properly.
Description
CVE-2026-41651 is a time-of-check time-of-use (TOCTOU) race condition vulnerability in PackageKit versions 1.0.2 through 1.3.4. It allows a local unprivileged user to install arbitrary RPM packages as root without authentication, leading to local privilege escalation. The flaw arises from improper handling of transaction flags during package installation, enabling an attacker to overwrite flags after authorization but before execution. This vulnerability is patched in PackageKit version 1.3.5.
References
- github.com/PackageKit/PackageKit/security/advisories/GHSA-f55j-vvr9-69xv (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/PackageKit/PackageKit/blob/04057883189efa225a7c785591aa87cb299782f8/src/pk-transaction.c (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/PackageKit/PackageKit/blob/04057883189efa225a7c785591aa87cb299782f8/src/pk-transaction.c (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/PackageKit/PackageKit/blob/04057883189efa225a7c785591aa87cb299782f8/src/pk-transaction.c (opens in a new tab)
- github.security.telekom.com/2026/04/pack2theroot-linux-local-privilege-escalation.html (opens in a new tab)
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/04/22/6 (opens in a new tab)
- access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-41651 (opens in a new tab)
- bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2460604 (opens in a new tab)
- security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2026/cve-2026-41651.json (opens in a new tab)
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:22146 (opens in a new tab)
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:19601 (opens in a new tab)
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:19141 (opens in a new tab)
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:11635 (opens in a new tab)
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:17558 (opens in a new tab)
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:17561 (opens in a new tab)
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:17560 (opens in a new tab)
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:18024 (opens in a new tab)
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:18036 (opens in a new tab)
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:19454 (opens in a new tab)
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:18031 (opens in a new tab)
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:11504 (opens in a new tab)
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:19354 (opens in a new tab)