CVE-2011-3628: n/a vulnerability

CVE-2011-3628: Untrusted search path vulnerability in pam_motd (aka the MOTD module) in libpam-modules before 1.1.3-2ubunt...

Untrusted search path vulnerability in pam_motd (aka the MOTD module) in libpam-modules before 1.1.3-2ubuntu2.1 on Ubuntu 11.10, before 1.1.2-2ubuntu8.4 on Ubuntu 11.04, before 1.1.1-4ubuntu2.4 on Ubuntu 10.10, before 1.1.1-2ubuntu5.4 on Ubuntu 10.04 LTS, and before 0.99.7.1-5ubuntu6.5 on Ubuntu 8.04 LTS, when using certain configurations such as "session optional pam_motd.so", allows local users to gain privileges by modifying the PATH environment variable to reference a malicious command, as demonstrated via uname.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdatedAug 6, 2024, 23:37 UTC (UTC+00:00)

Security readout for executives and security teams

This is a local privilege escalation issue in Ubuntu's pam_motd module on older Ubuntu releases. A user already able to log in locally could manipulate command lookup behavior and potentially gain higher privileges when vulnerable PAM MOTD handling is configured. Exposure is likely limited to legacy Ubuntu 8.04 LTS, 10.04 LTS, 10.10, 11.04, and 11.10 systems running vulnerable libpam-modules with pam_motd enabled in PAM session configuration. Treat this as a legacy Linux hygiene and local privilege risk. It is not described as remotely exploitable, but affected multi-user systems should be updated or retired because local privilege escalation can turn a low-privilege account into deeper compromise. Mitigation focus: Upgrade libpam-modules to the Ubuntu fixed version for the affected release.; Find and retire unsupported Ubuntu systems listed in the advisory.; Review PAM session configuration for pam_motd.so usage..

Prepared: Jun 14, 2026, 14:32 UTC (UTC+00:00)

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

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record

Severity: Unknown
CVSS: Not scored
Known Exploited: No
Published: Apr 15, 2014, 18:00 UTC (UTC+00:00)

Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

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2Source links

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Source materials

CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/%2Bsource/pam/%2Bbug/610125CVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus

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Weakness

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