CVE-2025-6018
Pam-config: lpe from unprivileged to allow_active in pam
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.
INFO
Published Date :
July 23, 2025, 3:15 p.m.
Last Modified :
Nov. 4, 2025, 10:16 p.m.
Remotely Exploit :
No
Source :
[email protected]
CVSS Scores
| Score | Version | Severity | Vector | Exploitability Score | Impact Score | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | HIGH | [email protected] |
Solution
- Update the pam-config package.
- Apply system security patches.
- Review and restrict Polkit actions.
Public PoC/Exploit Available at Github
CVE-2025-6018 has a 28 public
PoC/Exploit available at Github.
Go to the Public Exploits tab to see the list.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
Here, you will find a curated list of external links that provide in-depth
information, practical solutions, and valuable tools related to
CVE-2025-6018.
| URL | Resource |
|---|---|
| https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2025-6018 | Third Party Advisory |
| https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2372693 | Issue TrackingThird Party Advisory |
| https://bugzilla.suse.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1243226 | ExploitThird Party Advisory |
| https://cdn2.qualys.com/2025/06/17/suse15-pam-udisks-lpe.txt | ExploitIssue TrackingThird Party Advisory |
| http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/08/28/4 | |
| https://cdn2.qualys.com/2025/06/17/suse15-pam-udisks-lpe.txt | ExploitIssue TrackingThird Party Advisory |
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2025-6018 is
associated with the following CWEs:
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification
(CAPEC)
stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and
approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2025-6018
weaknesses.
We scan GitHub repositories to detect new proof-of-concept exploits. Following list is a collection of public exploits and proof-of-concepts, which have been published on GitHub (sorted by the most recently updated).
Use a USB memory device as an authentication token to log in into a Linux system
Shell Python
None
None
Shell
None
Shell
Privilege escalation exploit chain (CVE-2025-6018 + CVE-2025-6019) for openSUSE Leap 15.6
Shell
Vulnerability chaining leads to privilege escalation
CVE-2025-6018 CVE-2025-6019 PoC Exploit - Local Privilege Escalation in openSUSE/SUSE Linux Enterprise 15 - PAM bypass + udisks2 XFS race condition LPE to root
cve-2025-6018 cve-2025-6019 hacking linux-shell opensuse pam pentest pentesting poc privilege-escalation reverse-shell security suse udisks2
Shell
CVE-2025-6018 (pam LPE unpriv->allow_active), CVE-2025-6019 (udisks LPE allow_active->root) in sh
Shell
Auto exploit for CVE-2025-6018 & CVE-2025-6019 based on https://github.com/0rionCollector/Exploit-Chain-CVE-2025-6018-6019
Python Shell
Script-only privilege escalation chain using CVE-2025-6019 and UDisks2 (no filesystem image included).
htb-scripts htb-writeups cve-2025-6019
Shell
A Proof of Concept for chaining CVE-2025-6018 (PAM/Polkit Active Session Bypass) and CVE-2025-6019 (libblockdev SUID Mount Flaw) to achieve Local Privilege Escalation (LPE) on vulnerable Linux systems.
Shell
Exploit Chain of CVE-2025-6018 to CVE-2025-6019
Shell
CVE-2025-6018 + CVE-2025-6019 Privilege Escalation Exploit
Shell
This is just a quick note on how to exploit these vulnerabilities to get root.
Mirror of https://github.com/nomi-sec/PoC-in-GitHub
Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.
The following list is the news that have been mention
CVE-2025-6018 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2025-6018 vulnerability over time.
Vulnerability history details can be useful for understanding the evolution of a vulnerability, and for identifying the most recent changes that may impact the vulnerability's severity, exploitability, or other characteristics.
-
CVE Modified by af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
Nov. 04, 2025
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Reference http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/08/28/4 -
Initial Analysis by [email protected]
Oct. 09, 2025
Action Type Old Value New Value Added CPE Configuration OR *cpe:2.3:a:suse:pam-config:1.1.8-24.71.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Added Reference Type Red Hat, Inc.: https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2025-6018 Types: Third Party Advisory Added Reference Type Red Hat, Inc.: https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2372693 Types: Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory Added Reference Type Red Hat, Inc.: https://bugzilla.suse.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1243226 Types: Exploit, Third Party Advisory Added Reference Type Red Hat, Inc.: https://cdn2.qualys.com/2025/06/17/suse15-pam-udisks-lpe.txt Types: Exploit, Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory Added Reference Type CISA-ADP: https://cdn2.qualys.com/2025/06/17/suse15-pam-udisks-lpe.txt Types: Exploit, Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory -
New CVE Received by [email protected]
Jul. 23, 2025
Action Type Old Value New Value Added 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. Added CVSS V3.1 AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H Added CWE CWE-863 Added Reference https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2025-6018 Added Reference https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2372693 Added Reference https://bugzilla.suse.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1243226 Added Reference https://cdn2.qualys.com/2025/06/17/suse15-pam-udisks-lpe.txt -
CVE Modified by 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0
Jul. 23, 2025
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Reference https://cdn2.qualys.com/2025/06/17/suse15-pam-udisks-lpe.txt