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CVE-2002-0638

MEDIUM CVSS: 6.2 Published: 2002-08-12 Modified: 2026-06-16

Description

setpwnam.c in the util-linux package, as included in Red Hat Linux 7.3 and earlier, and other operating systems, does not properly lock a temporary file when modifying /etc/passwd, which may allow local users to gain privileges via a complex race condition that uses an open file descriptor in utility programs such as chfn and chsh.

Affected Platforms

Mandrakesoft Mandrake Linux Corporate ServerMandrakesoft Mandrake Single Network FirewallMandrakesoft Mandrake LinuxHp Secure OsRedhat Linux

Weakness Type

NVD-CWE-Other

References