pam_usb: Shell injection via device UUID and username in pamusb-conf and pamusb-agent

pam_usb provides hardware authentication for Linux using ordinary removable media. Prior to 0.8.7, a crafted UUID such as $(id>/tmp/rce) in the config causes root RCE when pamusb-conf --reset-pads is run. A USB device with a crafted filesystem UUID (some controllers allow this) can inject the payload at --add-device time. Also, userName from the XML config is passed to os.system() in pamusb-agent, which invokes a shell. This vulnerability is fixed in 0.8.7.

Problem type

Affected products

mcdope

pam_usb

< 0.8.7 - AFFECTED

References

https://github.com/mcdope/pam_usb/security/advisories/GHSA-jgv5-w6rm-7wxg

https://github.com/mcdope/pam_usb/security/advisories/GHSA-jgv5-w6rm-7wxg

x_refsource_CONFIRM

JSON source

https://cveawg.mitre.org/api/cve/CVE-2026-44712

Click to expand

{
  "dataType": "CVE_RECORD",
  "dataVersion": "5.2",
  "cveMetadata": {
    "cveId": "CVE-2026-44712",
    "assignerOrgId": "a0819718-46f1-4df5-94e2-005712e83aaa",
    "assignerShortName": "GitHub_M",
    "dateUpdated": "2026-05-27T20:24:23.131Z",
    "dateReserved": "2026-05-07T17:07:09.318Z",
    "datePublished": "2026-05-27T20:24:23.131Z",
    "state": "PUBLISHED"
  },
  "containers": {
    "cna": {
      "providerMetadata": {
        "orgId": "a0819718-46f1-4df5-94e2-005712e83aaa",
        "shortName": "GitHub_M",
        "dateUpdated": "2026-05-27T20:24:23.131Z"
      },
      "title": "pam_usb: Shell injection via device UUID and username in pamusb-conf and pamusb-agent",
      "descriptions": [
        {
          "lang": "en",
          "value": "pam_usb provides hardware authentication for Linux using ordinary removable media. Prior to 0.8.7, a crafted UUID such as $(id>/tmp/rce) in the config causes root RCE when pamusb-conf --reset-pads is run. A USB device with a crafted filesystem UUID (some controllers allow this) can inject the payload at --add-device time. Also, userName from the XML config is passed to os.system() in pamusb-agent, which invokes a shell. This vulnerability is fixed in 0.8.7."
        }
      ],
      "affected": [
        {
          "vendor": "mcdope",
          "product": "pam_usb",
          "versions": [
            {
              "version": "< 0.8.7",
              "status": "affected"
            }
          ]
        }
      ],
      "problemTypes": [
        {
          "descriptions": [
            {
              "lang": "en",
              "description": "CWE-78: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')",
              "cweId": "CWE-78",
              "type": "CWE"
            }
          ]
        },
        {
          "descriptions": [
            {
              "lang": "en",
              "description": "CWE-88: Improper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters in a Command ('Argument Injection')",
              "cweId": "CWE-88",
              "type": "CWE"
            }
          ]
        }
      ],
      "references": [
        {
          "url": "https://github.com/mcdope/pam_usb/security/advisories/GHSA-jgv5-w6rm-7wxg",
          "name": "https://github.com/mcdope/pam_usb/security/advisories/GHSA-jgv5-w6rm-7wxg",
          "tags": [
            "x_refsource_CONFIRM"
          ]
        }
      ],
      "metrics": [
        {
          "cvssV3_1": {
            "version": "3.1",
            "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H",
            "attackVector": "LOCAL",
            "attackComplexity": "LOW",
            "privilegesRequired": "HIGH",
            "userInteraction": "NONE",
            "scope": "CHANGED",
            "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH",
            "integrityImpact": "HIGH",
            "availabilityImpact": "HIGH",
            "baseScore": 8.2,
            "baseSeverity": "HIGH"
          }
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}