CVE-2016-4982: authd sets weak permissions for /etc/ident.key, which allows local users to obtain the key by leveraging a rac

Routine

MEDIUM 4.7MITIGATE

CVE-2016-4982 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.7) affecting authd. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

authd sets weak permissions for /etc/ident.key, which allows local users to obtain the key by leveraging a race condition between the creation of the key, and the chmod to protect it.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	4.7 (Medium)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	High
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.2% (top 93%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-362
Published	2017-07-17
Last modified	2026-06-17

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

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2017-07-17 13:18 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:48 UTCUpdated Record last modified

teether authd MITIGATE

Affected: all versions

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

No fixed or unaffected release known

Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory, disable the affected feature, or restrict network access.

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-2016-4982?

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

Is CVE-2016-4982 being exploited?

CVE-2016-4982 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-2016-4982 affect?

CVE-2016-4982 affects authd. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.7). authd sets weak permissions for /etc/ident.key, which allows local users to obtain the key by leveraging a race condition between the creation of the key, and the chmod to protect it.

How urgent is CVE-2016-4982?

Priority 18/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Related CVEs

CVE-2025-5689 HIGH 8.5 UPGRADE A flaw was found in the temporary user record that authd uses in the pre-auth NSS
CVE-2024-9313 HIGH 8.8 UPGRADE Authd PAM module before version 0.3.5 can allow broker-managed users to impersonate any other user managed by
CVE-2024-9312 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE Authd, through version 0.3.6, did not sufficiently randomize user IDs to prevent collisions

References

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