CVE-2015-3222: syscheck/seechanges.c in OSSEC 2.7 through 2.8.1 on NIX systems allows local users to execute arbitrary code a

Q: How do I fix CVE-2015-3222?

ossec: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2015-3222 being exploited?

CVE-2015-3222 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-2015-3222 affect?

CVE-2015-3222 affects ossec. Severity is high (CVSS 7.0). syscheck/seechanges.c in OSSEC 2.7 through 2.8.1 on NIX systems allows local users to execute arbitrary code as root.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2015-3222?

Priority 50/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

This month

HIGH 7.0DOWNGRADE

CVE-2015-3222 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.0) affecting ossec. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

syscheck/seechanges.c in OSSEC 2.7 through 2.8.1 on NIX systems allows local users to execute arbitrary code as root.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.0 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	High
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	2.0% (top 19%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-264
Published	2017-09-07
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Red Hat, Inc. · Vendor: ossec

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2017-09-07 20:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:25 UTCUpdated Record last modified

ossec ossec DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.7.0 · 2.7.1 · 2.8.0 · 2.8.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.7.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.7.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison ossec sudo apt install ossec=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.7.0> sudo apt-mark hold ossec

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

dnf --showduplicates list ossec sudo dnf downgrade ossec-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.7.0> sudo dnf versionlock add ossec

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.

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: OSSEC 2.7 < 2.8.1 - 'diff' Local 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-2015-3222?

ossec: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2015-3222 being exploited?

CVE-2015-3222 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-2015-3222 affect?

CVE-2015-3222 affects ossec. Severity is high (CVSS 7.0). syscheck/seechanges.c in OSSEC 2.7 through 2.8.1 on NIX systems allows local users to execute arbitrary code as root.

How urgent is CVE-2015-3222?

Priority 50/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

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CVE-2020-8446 MEDIUM 5.5 UPGRADE In OSSEC-HIDS 2.7 through 3.5.0, the server component responsible for log analysis (ossec-analysisd) is vulner
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References

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