CVE-2026-55655 PUBLISHED

Openssh: local mitm of x11 forwarding via abstract unix socket pre-binding in red hat enterprise linux openssh client versions

Assigner: redhat
Reserved: 16.06.2026 Published: 23.06.2026 Updated: 23.06.2026

A flaw was found in OpenSSH. A local unprivileged attacker on a Linux client host can hijack client-side X11 forwarding connections. This is possible by pre-binding the preferred abstract X socket name when X11 forwarding is enabled and a local UNIX-domain X socket is used. A successful attack can compromise the confidentiality of forwarded X11 traffic, including sensitive window contents and input, and may allow some manipulation of the forwarded session.

Metrics

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:N
CVSS Score: 5

Product Status

Vendor Red Hat
Product Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
Versions Default: affected
Vendor Red Hat
Product Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
Versions Default: affected
Vendor Red Hat
Product Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
Versions Default: affected
Vendor Red Hat
Product Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
Versions Default: affected
Vendor Red Hat
Product Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9
Versions Default: affected
Vendor Red Hat
Product Red Hat Hardened Images
Versions Default: unknown
Vendor Red Hat
Product Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4
Versions Default: unknown

Workarounds

To mitigate this issue, disable X11 forwarding on OpenSSH clients when it is not required. This can be achieved by avoiding the use of -X or -Y options when invoking ssh, or by setting ForwardX11 no in the SSH client configuration file (~/.ssh/config or /etc/ssh/ssh_config). Disabling X11 forwarding will prevent the client from attempting to establish X11 connections, thereby removing the attack vector.

References

Problem Types

  • Improper Restriction of Communication Channel to Intended Endpoints CWE