CVE-2026-64668
pam_usb provides hardware authentication for Linux using removable media. From version 0.8.0 to before version 0.9.3, the deny_remote feature in pam_usb uses /usr/bin/w -i to detect whether the authenticating user has an active remote tmux session. In pusb_tmux_has_remote_clients() (src/tmux.c), the IPv6 detection pattern matched the address group and then immediately expected whitespace. On Linux systems with multi-homed network interfaces, w -i appends a zone index (scope identifier) to link-local IPv6 addresses — e.g. fe80::1%eth0. The %eth0 suffix appeared between the address and the next whitespace field, causing the regex match to fail even for an otherwise-matching remote session. The function returned "no remote clients" and granted access. This issue has been patched in version 0.9.3.
Executive briefing
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Evidence confidence: Not assessed Evidence-derived, not an exploitability verdict
Severity & attack characteristics
CVSS vector:CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
Technical explanation & impact
Technical root-cause details are not available in the current source record.
Assess the impact using the published CVSS metrics and the affected vendor component.
Affected products and versions
NVD has not supplied machine-readable vulnerable CPE product/version entries for this CVE. This is an information gap, not proof that no products are affected. Check the vendor advisory references below.
Remediation & validation
- Identify exposure by comparing the affected product and version ranges with your asset inventory, SBOM and externally exposed services.
- Review the linked vendor security advisory or patch notes. Upgrade to a vendor-confirmed fixed release; do not infer a fixed version from the CVE description.
- Until patched, consider restricting network access or disabling the affected feature where operationally safe. These are temporary controls, not a substitute for a vendor fix.
- Validate the remediation with a version check and vulnerability rescan, then retain change evidence.
No fixed version is displayed unless it is explicitly established by a vendor advisory. Follow the vendor's release notes for exact product and branch applicability.
Vendor advisories, patches & exploit references
- https://github.com/mcdope/pam_usb/commit/a62513f3da871d6576d751de3482eb80b9ac79f3 VENDOR security-advisories@github.com
- https://github.com/mcdope/pam_usb/pull/423 VENDOR security-advisories@github.com
- https://github.com/mcdope/pam_usb/releases/tag/0.9.3 VENDOR security-advisories@github.com
- https://github.com/mcdope/pam_usb/security/advisories/GHSA-7583-9cqv-j9rf VENDOR security-advisories@github.com