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CVE-2015-9542: add_password in pam_radius_auth.c in pam_radius 1.4.0 does not correctly check the length of the input pass...

add_password in pam_radius_auth.c in pam_radius 1.4.0 does not correctly check the length of the input password, and is vulnerable to a stack-based buffer overflow during memcpy(). An attacker could send a crafted password to an application (loading the pam_radius library) and crash it. Arbitrary code execution might be possible, depending on the application, C library, compiler, and other factors.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

pam_radius 1.4.0 can mishandle an overly long password and overflow stack memory. An attacker who can submit a password to an application using this PAM RADIUS module could crash that application. Code execution is described as possible, but source evidence says it depends on deployment-specific factors.

Executive priority

Treat as a targeted authentication-service stability risk with possible code-execution implications. Prioritize systems where PAM RADIUS protects remote access, VPN, administrative login, or exposed application authentication.

Technical view

The flaw is in add_password in pam_radius_auth.c. A password length check is incorrect before memcpy(), creating a stack-based buffer overflow in pam_radius 1.4.0. Impact is at least denial of service for applications loading the module; arbitrary code execution is possible only under certain application, C library, compiler, and runtime conditions.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely on Linux systems using pam_radius or distro package libpam-radius-auth for PAM-backed RADIUS authentication. The supplied affected-product metadata is incomplete, so inventory should focus on installed packages and PAM configurations referencing the module.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or cited evidence of active exploitation. The documented attack condition is a crafted password supplied to an application loading pam_radius, causing a crash and possibly more depending on local hardening.

Researcher notes

The public data lacks CVSS, CWE, and complete CPEs. The key evidence is the upstream commit and Debian/Ubuntu/Red Hat advisories. Exploitability analysis should account for stack protections, compiler flags, C library behavior, and the consuming PAM application.

Mitigation direction

  • Update pam_radius or libpam-radius-auth using Debian, Ubuntu, Red Hat, or vendor guidance.
  • Prioritize internet-facing or high-volume authentication services using PAM RADIUS.
  • Check whether vendor packages include the FreeRADIUS upstream fix.
  • Review vendor advisories for supported versions and distribution-specific patch status.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory hosts for pam_radius or libpam-radius-auth installations.
  • Inspect PAM configuration for pam_radius_auth.so references.
  • Confirm installed packages include the vendor security update or upstream fix.
  • Review authentication-service crash logs around PAM or RADIUS password handling.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
8

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

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ATT&CK lookup starting points

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description · low confidence lookup

Execution behavior lookup

The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.

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description · low confidence lookup

Credential and access behavior lookup

The CVE wording references authentication or credential exposure, so valid-account and credential-access review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.

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CVE-2015-9542 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
n/an/an/aListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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