CVE-2010-0832

libpam-modules <1.1.0-2ubuntu1.1/1.1.1-2ubuntu5 - Privilege Escalation

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 3 public exploits for CVE-2010-0832. PoCs published by anonymous, Kristian Erik Hermansen, R3fr4kt.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This exploit leverages a vulnerability in Ubuntu PAM MOTD to escalate privileges to root by manipulating /etc/passwd and /etc/shadow via symlink attacks and SSH key manipulation. It adds a temporary user 'toor' with UID 0 and a known password hash.

Description

pam_motd (aka the MOTD module) in libpam-modules before 1.1.0-2ubuntu1.1 in PAM on Ubuntu 9.10 and libpam-modules before 1.1.1-2ubuntu5 in PAM on Ubuntu 10.04 LTS allows local users to change the ownership of arbitrary files via a symlink attack on .cache in a user's home directory, related to "user file stamps" and the motd.legal-notice file.

Exploits (3)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by anonymous · bashlocallinux
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/14339

This exploit leverages a vulnerability in Ubuntu PAM MOTD to escalate privileges to root by manipulating /etc/passwd and /etc/shadow via symlink attacks and SSH key manipulation. It adds a temporary user 'toor' with UID 0 and a known password hash.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: pam-1.1.0 on Ubuntu 9.10 and 10.04 LTS
Auth required
Prerequisites: Local user access · SSH and ssh-keygen installed · SSH daemon running as root
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Kristian Erik Hermansen · bashlocallinux
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/14273

This exploit leverages a vulnerability in Ubuntu PAM (Pluggable Authentication Modules) to tamper with the MOTD (Message of the Day) file, allowing local privilege escalation. It manipulates symbolic links in the user's cache directory to gain ownership of arbitrary files upon re-authentication.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: pam-1.1.0 on Ubuntu 9.10 and 10.04 LTS
Auth required
Prerequisites: Local access to the target system · Ability to create symbolic links in the user's cache directory
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WRITEUP
by R3fr4kt · poc
https://github.com/R3fr4kt/Popcorn-TJNULL-OSCP-

This is a detailed technical writeup for HackTheBox's 'Popcorn' machine, covering reconnaissance, web exploitation via file upload evasion, and local privilege escalation using CVE-2010-0832 (PAM MOTD flaw). It includes step-by-step exploitation techniques and post-exploitation stabilization methods.

Classification
Writeup 100%
Attack Type
Rce | Lpe
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Apache httpd 2.2.12, OpenSSH 5.1, Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic Koala)
Auth required
Prerequisites: Network access to target · Burp Suite for request manipulation · Netcat for reverse shell · Python 2 for TTY stabilization
devstral-2 · analyzed Jun 05, 2026 Full analysis →

References (9)

Core 9
Core References
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_xf
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/60194
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_ubuntu
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-959-1
Exploit, Patch vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/41465
Exploit exploit x_refsource_exploit-db
http://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/14273
Various Sources x_refsource_misc
http://twitter.com/jonoberheide/statuses/18009527979
Vendor Advisory third-party-advisory x_refsource_secunia
http://secunia.com/advisories/40512
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_osvdb
http://www.osvdb.org/66116
Vendor Advisory vdb-entry x_refsource_vupen
http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2010/1747

Scores

EPSS 0.0094
EPSS Percentile 56.3%

Details

CWE
CWE-59
Status published
Products (2)
canonical/ubuntu_linux 10.04
canonical/ubuntu_linux 9.10
Published Jul 12, 2010
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026