---
title: "CVE-2015-3246\n    | Ubuntu"
description: Ubuntu is an open source software operating system that runs from the
  desktop, to the cloud, to all your internet connected things.
url: https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2015-3246?format=md
keywords: index, follow
---

# CVE-2015-3246

Publication date 11 August 2015

Last updated 27 August 2026

---

Ubuntu priority

**High**

[Why this priority?](https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2015-3246?format=md#priority-reason )

## Cvss 3 Severity Score

**5.1 · Medium**

[Score breakdown](https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2015-3246?format=md#impact-score)

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## Description

libuser before 0.56.13-8 and 0.60 before 0.60-7, as used in the userhelper
program in the usermode package, directly modifies /etc/passwd, which
allows local users to cause a denial of service (inconsistent file state)
by causing an error during the modification. NOTE: this issue can be
combined with CVE-2015-3245 to gain privileges.

### From the Ubuntu Security Team

It was discovered that libuser has incomplete blacklist vulnerability. A
local user could use it to cause a denial of service.

### Why is this CVE high priority?

Listed in CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog

[Learn more about Ubuntu priority](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#priority)

## Status

Show unmaintained releases

| Package | Ubuntu Release | Status |
| --- | --- | --- |
| libuser | 26.04 LTS resolute | Needs evaluation |
| 25.10 questing | Ignored end of life, was needs-triage |
| 25.04 plucky | Ignored end of life, was needs-triage |
| 24.10 oracular | Not affected |
| 24.04 LTS noble | Not affected |
| 23.10 mantic | Not affected |
| 23.04 lunar | Not affected |
| 22.10 kinetic | Not affected |
| 22.04 LTS jammy | Not affected |
| 21.10 impish | Not affected |
| 21.04 hirsute | Not affected |
| 20.10 groovy | Not affected |
| 20.04 LTS focal | Not affected |
| 19.10 eoan | Not affected |
| 19.04 disco | Not affected |
| 18.10 cosmic | Not affected |
| 18.04 LTS bionic | Not affected |
| 17.10 artful | Not affected |
| 17.04 zesty | Not affected |
| 16.10 yakkety | Not affected |
| 16.04 LTS xenial | Vulnerable |
| 15.10 wily | Ignored end of life |
| 15.04 vivid | Ignored end of life |
| 14.04 LTS trusty | Fixed 1:0.56.9.dfsg.1-1.2ubuntu2+esm1  Ubuntu Pro |
| 12.04 LTS precise | Ignored end of life |

---

* [How can I get the fixes?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#security)
* [What do statuses mean?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#statuses)
* [Patch details](https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2015-3246?format=md#patch-details)

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### Patch details

For informational purposes only. We recommend not to cherry-pick updates. [How can I get the fixes?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#security)

| Package | Patch details |
| --- | --- |
| libuser | * Upstream:   <https://fedorahosted.org/libuser/changeset/d73aa2a5a9ce5bdd349dff46e3e4885f2b194a95/> |

## Severity score breakdown

CVSS version:
CVSS v3.0

**Base score**

5.1 · Medium

* Base metrics

  | Parameter | Value |
  | --- | --- |
  | Attack vector | Local |
  | Attack complexity | High |
  | Privileges required | None |
  | User interaction | None |
  | Scope | Unchanged |
  | Confidentiality impact | None |
  | Integrity impact | None |
  | Availability impact | High |
* Scores

  | Parameter | Value |
  | --- | --- |
  | Base score | 5.1 · Medium |
  | Exploitability score | - |
  | Impact score | - |

**Vector:** CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

## References

* [MITRE](https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2015-3246)
* [NVD](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2015-3246)
* [Launchpad](https://launchpad.net/bugs/cve/CVE-2015-3246)
* [Debian](https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2015-3246)

### Other references

* <https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2015-3246>
* <https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog>