---
title: "CVE-2019-16729\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-2019-16729?format=md
keywords: index, follow
---

# CVE-2019-16729

Publication date 24 September 2019

Last updated 25 August 2025

---

Ubuntu priority

**Medium**

[Why this priority?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#priority )

## Cvss 3 Severity Score

**7.8 · High**

[Score breakdown](https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2019-16729?format=md#impact-score)

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## Description

pam-python before 1.0.7-1 has an issue in regard to the default environment
variable handling of Python, which could allow for local root escalation in
certain PAM setups.

### From the Ubuntu Security Team

Malte Kraus discovered that Pam-python mishandled certain environment
variables. A local attacker could potentially use this vulnerability to
execute programs as root.

## Status

Show unmaintained releases

| Package | Ubuntu Release | Status |
| --- | --- | --- |
| pam-python | 20.04 LTS focal | Not affected |
| 19.10 eoan | Ignored end of life |
| 19.04 disco | Ignored end of life |
| 18.04 LTS bionic | Fixed 1.0.6-1.1+deb10u1build0.18.04.1 |
| 16.04 LTS xenial | Fixed 1.0.4-1.1+deb8u1build0.16.04.1 |
| 14.04 LTS trusty | Not in release |

---

* [How can I get the fixes?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#security)
* [What do statuses mean?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#statuses)

## Severity score breakdown

CVSS version:
CVSS v3.0

**Base score**

7.8 · High

* Base metrics

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

  | Parameter | Value |
  | --- | --- |
  | Base score | 7.8 · High |
  | Exploitability score | - |
  | Impact score | - |

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

## References

* [MITRE](https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2019-16729)
* [NVD](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-16729)
* [Launchpad](https://launchpad.net/bugs/cve/CVE-2019-16729)
* [Debian](https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2019-16729)

### Related Ubuntu Security Notices (USN)

+ [USN-4552-1](https://usn.ubuntu.com/USN-4552-1)
+ Pam-python vulnerability
+ 28 September 2020

+ [USN-4552-2](https://usn.ubuntu.com/USN-4552-2)
+ Pam-python vulnerability
+ 21 October 2020

+ [USN-4552-3](https://usn.ubuntu.com/USN-4552-3)
+ Pam-python regression
+ 28 October 2020

### Other references

* <https://bugzilla.suse.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1150510#c1>
* <https://sourceforge.net/p/pam-python/code/ci/0247ab687b4347cc52859ca461fb0126dd7e2ebe/>
* <https://tracker.debian.org/news/1066790/accepted-pam-python-107-1-source-amd64-all-into-unstable/>
* <https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2019-16729>