CVE-2003-0388: pam_wheel in Linux-PAM 0.78, with the trust option enabled and the use_uid option disabled, allows local users

Q: How do I fix CVE-2003-0388?

linux pam: upgrade to newer than 0.77. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2003-0388 being exploited?

CVE-2003-0388 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2003-0388 affect?

CVE-2003-0388 affects linux pam. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.6). pam_wheel in Linux-PAM 0.78, with the trust option enabled and the use_uid option disabled, allows local users to spoof log entries and gain privileges by causing getlogin() to return a spoofed user name.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2003-0388?

Priority 41/100. Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

This month

MEDIUM 4.6WATCHLISTUPGRADE

CVE-2003-0388 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.6) affecting linux pam. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

pam_wheel in Linux-PAM 0.78, with the trust option enabled and the use_uid option disabled, allows local users to spoof log entries and gain privileges by causing getlogin() to return a spoofed user name.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	4.6 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	0.9% (top 40%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2003-07-24
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: andrew morgan

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2003-07-24 04:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:02 UTCUpdated Record last modified

andrew morgan linux pam UPGRADE

Affected: <= 0.77

Fixed in: newer than 0.77

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

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.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Exploit-DB: Linux PAM 0.77 - Pam_Wheel Module 'getlogin() Username' Spoofing Privilege Escalation

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-2003-0388?

linux pam: upgrade to newer than 0.77. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2003-0388 being exploited?

CVE-2003-0388 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-2003-0388 affect?

CVE-2003-0388 affects linux pam. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.6). pam_wheel in Linux-PAM 0.78, with the trust option enabled and the use_uid option disabled, allows local users to spoof log entries and gain privileges by causing getlogin() to return a spoofed user name.

How urgent is CVE-2003-0388?

Priority 41/100. Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Related CVEs

CVE-2007-0003 HIGH 7.2 MITIGATE pam_unix.so in Linux-PAM 0.99.7.0 allows context-dependent attackers to log into accounts whose password hash,

References

← Back to latest CVEs