CVE-2026-44709 PUBLISHED

pam_usb: PINENTRY_FALLBACK_APP environment variable allows arbitrary command execution

Assigner: GitHub_M
Reserved: 07.05.2026 Published: 27.05.2026 Updated: 27.05.2026

pam_usb provides hardware authentication for Linux using ordinary removable media. Prior to 0.8.7, pamusb-pinentry reads the PINENTRY_FALLBACK_APP environment variable and executes it directly without any validation. Any process that can set environment variables before pamusb-pinentry is invoked can point PINENTRY_FALLBACK_APP at an arbitrary binary or script and have it executed with the privileges of the pam_usb tool chain. This vulnerability is fixed in 0.8.7.

Metrics

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS Score: 7.8

Product Status

Vendor mcdope
Product pam_usb
Versions
  • Version < 0.8.7 is affected

References

Problem Types

  • CWE-78: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection') CWE