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CVE Record

CVE-2011-3349: lightdm before 0.9.6 writes in .dmrc and Xauthority files using root permissions while the files are in use...

lightdm before 0.9.6 writes in .dmrc and Xauthority files using root permissions while the files are in user controlled folders. A local user can overwrite root-owned files via a symlink, which can allow possible privilege escalation.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

LightDM before 0.9.6 could write user-controlled login files with root privileges. A local user may be able to abuse symbolic links to overwrite root-owned files, creating a possible path to higher privileges on affected Linux systems.

Executive priority

Treat this as a legacy local-privilege risk. It is not described as remotely exploitable, but affected multi-user desktop systems deserve prompt remediation because local access could become root-level compromise.

Technical view

The issue concerns LightDM handling of .dmrc and Xauthority files in user-controlled directories. Sources describe root-permission writes while files are in use, enabling a local symlink overwrite condition against root-owned files. The source bundle does not provide CVSS, CWE, or confirmed exploit details.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely on legacy Linux desktops, kiosks, or VDI systems running LightDM before 0.9.6. Internet-facing exposure is not indicated; an attacker needs local user access.

Exploitation context

No CISA KEV entry or provided source confirms active exploitation. The vulnerability is local privilege escalation oriented, so business risk depends on whether untrusted users can obtain accounts on affected hosts.

Researcher notes

The available data is sparse: no CVSS vector, CWE, proof-of-exploit status, or detailed fixed-package matrix is included. Analysis should stay tied to LightDM before 0.9.6 and local symlink overwrite behavior only.

Mitigation direction

  • Upgrade LightDM to 0.9.6 or a vendor-supported fixed package.
  • Check Debian, Red Hat, or distribution guidance for package-specific remediation.
  • Retire or isolate legacy systems that cannot be updated.
  • Limit local account access on affected desktop or kiosk systems.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory systems using LightDM and record installed package versions.
  • Confirm whether any installation is older than 0.9.6.
  • Review vendor trackers for distribution-specific affected and fixed package status.
  • Prioritize systems with shared, kiosk, or untrusted local user access.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
7

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

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description · low confidence lookup

Privilege behavior lookup

The CVE wording references privilege impact, so privilege escalation and authorization behavior review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.

Open ATT&CK lookup
cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2011-3349 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
7Source links

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
lightdmlightdmbefore 0.9.6Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.