CVE-2025-24531

pam_pkcs11: authentication bypass in error situations

Published Jan 16, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 6.7 Medium EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
In OpenSC pam_pkcs11 before 0.6.13, pam_sm_authenticate() wrongly returns PAM_IGNORE in many error situations (such as an error triggered by a smartcard before login), allowing authentication bypass.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Debian DSA Debian DSA DSA-5864-1 pam-pkcs11 security update
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-7363-1 PAM-PKCS#11 vulnerabilities
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Title pam_pkcs11: authentication bypass in error situations
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

threat_severity

Moderate

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Opensc Project
Opensc Project opensc
Opensc Project pam Pkcs11
Vendors & Products Opensc Project
Opensc Project opensc
Opensc Project pam Pkcs11
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In OpenSC pam_pkcs11 before 0.6.13, pam_sm_authenticate() wrongly returns PAM_IGNORE in many error situations (such as an error triggered by a smartcard before login), allowing authentication bypass.
Weaknesses CWE-393
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 6.7, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
mitre
Published
Updated
Jan 16, 2026, 6:07 PM
Reserved
Jan 23, 2025, 12:00 AM
Status
Deferred
Published
Jan 16, 2026, 6:16 PM
Modified
Jun 17, 2026, 8:59 AM
Severity
Moderate
Public date
Jan 16, 2026, 12:00 AM