CVE-2015-8025: driver/subprocs.c in XScreenSaver before 5.34 does not properly perform an internal consistency check, which a

Routine

LOW 2.1WATCHLISTMITIGATEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2015-8025 is a low-severity flaw (CVSS 2.1) affecting ubuntu linux, xscreensaver. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

driver/subprocs.c in XScreenSaver before 5.34 does not properly perform an internal consistency check, which allows physically proximate attackers to bypass the lock screen by hot swapping monitors.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	2.1 (Low)
EPSS exploit chance	0.5% (top 57%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-264
Published	2015-11-10
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: canonical · xscreensaver project

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2015-11-10 17:59 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:33 UTCUpdated Record last modified

canonical ubuntu linux MITIGATE

Affected: 12.04

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 12.04

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.

xscreensaver project xscreensaver DOWNGRADE

Affected: 5.33

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 5.33

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 5.33 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison xscreensaver sudo apt install xscreensaver=<VERSION_BEFORE_5.33> sudo apt-mark hold xscreensaver

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

dnf --showduplicates list xscreensaver sudo dnf downgrade xscreensaver-<VERSION_BEFORE_5.33> sudo dnf versionlock add xscreensaver

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.

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-2015-8025?

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

Is CVE-2015-8025 being exploited?

CVE-2015-8025 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-2015-8025 affect?

CVE-2015-8025 affects ubuntu linux, xscreensaver. Severity is low (CVSS 2.1). driver/subprocs.c in XScreenSaver before 5.34 does not properly perform an internal consistency check, which allows physically proximate attackers to bypass the lock screen by hot swapping monitors.

How urgent is CVE-2015-8025?

Priority 28/100. Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Software pages

Ubuntu vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-47331 HIGH 7.8 MITIGATE Ubuntu Linux 6.8 contains AppArmor SAUCE patches which fail to acquire a lock when modifying a linked list
CVE-2026-47333 HIGH 7.8 MITIGATE Ubuntu Linux 6.8, 6.17 and 7.0 contain AppArmor SAUCE patches which can potentially incorrectly compute the si
CVE-2026-47328 MEDIUM 6.1 MITIGATE Ubuntu Linux 6.8, 6.17 and 7.0 contain AppArmor SAUCE patches which incorrectly attempt to free a pointer whic
CVE-2026-47332 MEDIUM 5.5 MITIGATE Ubuntu Linux 6.8, 6.17 and 7.0 contain AppArmor SAUCE patches which incorrectly validate the size of an intern
CVE-2026-47326 MEDIUM 5.5 MITIGATE Ubuntu Linux 6.8, 6.17 and 7.0 contain SAUCE patches with a memory leak in the handling of big responses to Ap

References

← Back to latest CVEs