CVE-2018-20839

systemd: mishandling of the current keyboard mode check leading to passwords being disclosed in cleartext to attacker

Published May 17, 2019 CVSS 3.1 · 4.3 Medium EPSS 2.5% KEV · Not listed
Description
systemd 242 changes the VT1 mode upon a logout, which allows attackers to read cleartext passwords in certain circumstances, such as watching a shutdown, or using Ctrl-Alt-F1 and Ctrl-Alt-F2. This occurs because the KDGKBMODE (aka current keyboard mode) check is mishandled.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
EUVD EUVD EUVD-2018-13379 systemd 242 changes the VT1 mode upon a logout, which allows attackers to read cleartext passwords in certain circumstances, such as watching a shutdown, or using Ctrl-Alt-F1 and Ctrl-Alt-F2. This occurs because the KDGKBMODE (aka current keyboard mode) check is mishandled.
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics epss

{'score': 0.0063}

epss

{'score': 0.00668}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses NVD-CWE-noinfo
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 9.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

cvssV3_1

{'score': 4.3, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics cvssV3_0

{'score': 6.4, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.0/AV:P/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

cvssV3_0

{'score': 4.3, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.0/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
mitre
Published
Updated
Aug 5, 2024, 12:12 PM
Reserved
May 16, 2019, 12:00 AM
Status
Analyzed
Published
May 17, 2019, 4:29 AM
Modified
Jun 17, 2026, 1:53 AM
Severity
Moderate
Public date
May 17, 2019, 12:00 AM