CVE-2015-5186: Audit before 2.4.4 in Linux does not sanitize escape characters in filenames.

Q: How do I fix CVE-2015-5186?

linux audit: upgrade to newer than 2.4.3. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2015-5186 being exploited?

CVE-2015-5186 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-2015-5186 affect?

CVE-2015-5186 affects linux audit. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.3). Audit before 2.4.4 in Linux does not sanitize escape characters in filenames.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2015-5186?

Priority 50/100. Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

This month

MEDIUM 5.3REMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADE

CVE-2015-5186 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.3) affecting linux audit. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Audit before 2.4.4 in Linux does not sanitize escape characters in filenames.

Why this priority

Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.3 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	2.8% (top 14%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-20
Published	2017-09-06
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Red Hat, Inc. · Vendor: linux audit project

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2017-09-06 21:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:28 UTCUpdated Record last modified

linux audit project linux audit UPGRADE

Affected: <= 2.4.3

Fixed in: newer than 2.4.3

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy linux-audit || rpm -q linux-audit || linux-audit --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 2.4.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade linux-audit

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade linux-audit

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

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-2015-5186?

linux audit: upgrade to newer than 2.4.3. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2015-5186 being exploited?

CVE-2015-5186 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-2015-5186 affect?

CVE-2015-5186 affects linux audit. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.3). Audit before 2.4.4 in Linux does not sanitize escape characters in filenames.

How urgent is CVE-2015-5186?

Priority 50/100. Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

References

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