CVE-2025-6018: SUSE pam-config Privilege Escalation Flaw

CVE-2025-6018 Overview

A Local Privilege Escalation (LPE) vulnerability has been discovered in pam-config within Linux Pluggable Authentication Modules (PAM). This flaw allows an unprivileged local attacker (for example, a user logged in via SSH) to obtain the elevated privileges normally reserved for a physically present, "allow_active" user. The highest risk is that the attacker can then perform all allow_active yes Polkit actions, which are typically restricted to console users, potentially gaining unauthorized control over system configurations, services, or other sensitive operations.

Critical Impact

The vulnerability could allow attackers to perform privileged operations typically reserved for console users, leading to unauthorized control over sensitive system configurations.

Affected Products

• suse pam-config

Discovery Timeline

• Not Available - Vulnerability discovered by Not Available
• Not Available - Responsible disclosure to Suse
• Not Available - CVE CVE-2025-6018 assigned
• Not Available - Suse releases security patch
• 2025-07-23 - CVE CVE-2025-6018 published to NVD
• 2025-11-04 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-6018

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability arises in the pam-config tool, which is part of Suse's PAM implementation. The flaw allows a local attacker to exploit misconfigurations in the authentication mechanism to escalate their privileges. This could be leveraged to perform actions typically limited to privileged users.

Root Cause

The root cause is identified as improper validation of user privileges in pam-config, allowing local users to gain elevated permissions inadequately.

Attack Vector

The attack is local, initiated by a user with SSH access attempting to exploit privilege misconfigurations in the system.

# Example exploitation code (sanitized)
echo "Exploit attempt for CVE-2025-6018"
sudo pam-config --add --read

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-6018

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual sudo activity logged by non-console users
• Unauthorized changes in pam.d configurations
• Log entries showing failed privilege escalations

Detection Strategies

Monitoring for modifications in PAM configuration files and analyzing unusual sudo activity can help detect potential exploitation attempts. SentinelOne's behavioral AI can identify anomalous patterns typical of privilege escalations.

Monitoring Recommendations

Implement logging and monitoring solutions to capture unauthorized configuration changes. Use SentinelOne to detect patterns consistent with privilege escalation attacks.

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-6018

Immediate Actions Required

• Restrict SSH access to verified users only
• Regularly audit PAM configurations for unauthorized modifications
• Apply principle of least privilege to all user accounts

Patch Information

Refer to Suse advisory for the patches addressing this CVE when they are made available. Continuously update systems with the latest security patches to mitigate vulnerabilities.

Workarounds

Disable unnecessary PAM modules and ensure that allow_active policies are correctly configured.

# Configuration example
echo "Disabling unnecessary PAM modules"
sudo pam-config --remove --disable-allow_active=no