CVE-2002-0638: setpwnam.c in the util-linux package, as included in Red Hat Linux 7.3 and earlier, and other operating system

Routine

MEDIUM 6.2WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2002-0638 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.2) affecting mandrake single network firewall, secure os, mandrake linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

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.

Why this priority

On your watchlist

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.2 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	0.5% (top 55%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2002-08-12
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: hp · mandrakesoft · redhat

Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2002-08-12 04:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 21:57 UTCUpdated Record last modified

mandrakesoft mandrake single network firewall DOWNGRADE

Affected: 7.2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.2

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy mandrake-single-network-firewall || rpm -q mandrake-single-network-firewall || mandrake-single-network-firewall --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 7.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison mandrake-single-network-firewall sudo apt install mandrake-single-network-firewall=<VERSION_BEFORE_7.2> sudo apt-mark hold mandrake-single-network-firewall

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list mandrake-single-network-firewall sudo dnf downgrade mandrake-single-network-firewall-<VERSION_BEFORE_7.2> sudo dnf versionlock add mandrake-single-network-firewall

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

hp secure os MITIGATE

Affected: 1.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

mandrakesoft mandrake linux MITIGATE

Affected: 7.0 · 7.1 · 7.2 · 8.0 · 8.1 · 8.2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

mandrakesoft mandrake linux corporate server MITIGATE

Affected: 1.0.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.0.1

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

redhat linux MITIGATE

Affected: 6.0 · 6.1 · 6.2 · 7.0 · 7.1 · 7.2 · 7.3

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 6.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2002-0638?

mandrake single network firewall: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; secure os: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; mandrake linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2002-0638 being exploited?

CVE-2002-0638 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2002-0638 affect?

CVE-2002-0638 affects mandrake single network firewall, secure os, mandrake linux. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.2). 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 comple

How urgent is CVE-2002-0638?

Priority 38/100. On your watchlist

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References

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