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Ubuntu libuser fixes passwd file corruption and local privilege escalation

Ubuntu libuser fixes passwd file corruption and local privilege escalation

Linuxsecurity •LinuxSecurity Advisories • November 3, 2026

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Several security issues were fixed in libuser. Software Description: - libuser: user and group account administration library Details: It was discovered that libuser did not properly validate the GECOS field when changing user information. A local attacker could possibly use this issue to corrupt the passwd file, resulting in a denial of service. (CVE-2015-3245) It was discovered that libuser modified the passwd file in place when updating user information. A local attacker could possibly use this issue to cause an inconsistent file state, resulting in a denial of service, or possibly escalate privileges. (CVE-2015-3246)

Several security issues were fixed in libuser.

Software Description:

- libuser: user and group account administration library

It was discovered that libuser did not properly validate the GECOS field

when changing user information. A local attacker could possibly use this

issue to corrupt the passwd file, resulting in a denial of service.

It was discovered that libuser modified the passwd file in place when

updating user information. A local attacker could possibly use this issue

to cause an inconsistent file state, resulting in a denial of service, or

possibly escalate privileges. (CVE-2015-3246)

The problem can be corrected by updating your system to the following package versions: Ubuntu 16.04 LTS libuser1 1:0.60~dfsg-1.2ubuntu0.1~esm1 Available with Ubuntu Pro In general, a standard system update will make all the necessary changes.

CVE-2015-3245, CVE-2015-3246

Ubuntu Security Notice USN-8987-1

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