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Improper Authentication

CVE-2008-2516

Medium
4.6/10

Summary

pam_sm_authenticate in pam_pgsql.c in libpam-pgsql 0.6.3 does not properly consider operator precedence when evaluating the success of a pam_get_pass function call, which allows local users to gain privileges via a SIGINT signal when this function is executing, as demonstrated by a CTRL-C sequence at a sudo password prompt in an "auth sufficient pam_pgsql.so" configuration.

  • LOW
  • LOCAL
  • NONE
  • PARTIAL
  • PARTIAL
  • PARTIAL

CWE-287 - Improper Authentication

Improper (or broken) authentication attacks are widespread, and have accounted for many of the worst data breaches in recent years. Improper authentication attacks are a class of vulnerabilities where an attacker impersonates a legitimate user by exploiting weaknesses in either session management or credential management to gain access to the user’s account. This can result in disclosure of sensitive information, and can lead to system compromise, theft, identity theft, and fraud.

References

Advisory Timeline

  • Published