CVE-2026-48980
pam_usb: getenv() used in PAM context allows environment variable injection into local-check logic
Description
pam_usb provides hardware authentication for Linux using removable media. In versions prior to 0.9.2, getenv() environment variables XRDP_SESSION, DISPLAY and TMUX allow environment variable injection into local-check logic. These environment variables influence whether a current session is local or remote, and a PAM module that runs in the context of setuid binaries (sudo, su), getenv() returns attacker-controlled values whenever the process environment has been manipulated by a local user. This issue has been fixed in version 0.9.2.
INFO
Published Date :
June 18, 2026, 8:16 p.m.
Last Modified :
Oct. 25, 2026, 11:10 p.m.
Remotely Exploit :
No
Source :
[email protected]
CVSS Scores
| Score | Version | Severity | Vector | Exploitability Score | Impact Score | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS | 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0 | |||||
| CVSS 3.1 | MEDIUM | [email protected] |
Solution
- Update pam_usb to version 0.9.2.
- Monitor environment variables for unauthorized manipulation.
- Review PAM module configurations for secure defaults.
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-2026-48980.
| URL | Resource |
|---|---|
| https://github.com/mcdope/pam_usb/releases/tag/0.9.2 | |
| https://github.com/mcdope/pam_usb/security/advisories/GHSA-qr83-mf3h-fvqr |
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2026-48980 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-2026-48980
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).
Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.
The following list is the news that have been mention
CVE-2026-48980 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2026-48980 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 Translated by [email protected]
Oct. 25, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Translation Title: pam_usb de mcdope, Description: pam_usb proporciona autenticación de hardware para Linux utilizando medios extraíbles. En versiones anteriores a la 0.9.2, las variables de entorno getenv() XRDP_SESSION, DISPLAY y TMUX permiten la inyección de variables de entorno en la lógica de verificación local. Estas variables de entorno influyen en si una sesión actual es local o remota, y un módulo PAM que se ejecuta en el contexto de binarios setuid (sudo, su), getenv() devuelve valores controlados por el atacante siempre que el entorno del proceso haya sido manipulado por un usuario local. Este problema ha sido solucionado en la versión 0.9.2. -
CVE Modified by 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0
Jun. 18, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added SSVC {'id': 'CVE-2026-48980', 'role': 'CISA Coordinator', 'options': [{'exploitation': 'none'}, {'automatable': 'no'}, {'technicalImpact': 'total'}], 'version': '2.0.3', 'timestamp': '2026-06-18T20:25:21.713697Z'} -
New CVE Received by [email protected]
Jun. 18, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Affected [{'vendor': 'mcdope', 'product': 'pam_usb', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '< 0.9.2'}]}] Added Description pam_usb provides hardware authentication for Linux using removable media. In versions prior to 0.9.2, getenv() environment variables XRDP_SESSION, DISPLAY and TMUX allow environment variable injection into local-check logic. These environment variables influence whether a current session is local or remote, and a PAM module that runs in the context of setuid binaries (sudo, su), getenv() returns attacker-controlled values whenever the process environment has been manipulated by a local user. This issue has been fixed in version 0.9.2. Added CVSS V3.1 AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N Added CWE CWE-454 Added CWE CWE-807 Added Reference https://github.com/mcdope/pam_usb/releases/tag/0.9.2 Added Reference https://github.com/mcdope/pam_usb/security/advisories/GHSA-qr83-mf3h-fvqr