CVE-2012-6655: An issue exists AccountService 0.6.37 in the user_change_password_authorized_cb() function in user.c which cou

Routine

LOW 3.3WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2012-6655 is a low-severity flaw (CVSS 3.3) affecting accountsservice, opensuse, debian linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

An issue exists AccountService 0.6.37 in the user_change_password_authorized_cb() function in user.c which could let a local users obtain encrypted passwords.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	3.3 (Low)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 61%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-732
Published	2019-11-27
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: accountsservice project · debian · opensuse · redhat

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2019-11-27 18:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:48 UTCUpdated Record last modified

accountsservice project accountsservice DOWNGRADE

Affected: 0.6.37

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.6.37

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy accountsservice || rpm -q accountsservice || accountsservice --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 0.6.37 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison accountsservice sudo apt install accountsservice=<VERSION_BEFORE_0.6.37> sudo apt-mark hold accountsservice

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

dnf --showduplicates list accountsservice sudo dnf downgrade accountsservice-<VERSION_BEFORE_0.6.37> sudo dnf versionlock add accountsservice

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.

opensuse opensuse MITIGATE

Affected: 13.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 13.1

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.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 8.0 · 9.0 · 10.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 8.0

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.

redhat enterprise linux MITIGATE

Affected: 7.0

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.

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-2012-6655?

accountsservice: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; opensuse: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2012-6655 being exploited?

CVE-2012-6655 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-2012-6655 affect?

CVE-2012-6655 affects accountsservice, opensuse, debian linux. Severity is low (CVSS 3.3). An issue exists AccountService 0.6.37 in the user_change_password_authorized_cb() function in user.c which could let a local users obtain encrypted passwords.

How urgent is CVE-2012-6655?

Priority 31/100. Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

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References

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