CVE-2026-15060

systemd-machined: unprivileged users can terminate arbitrary processes

Published Aug 10, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 4.7 Medium EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
When systemd-machined >= v259 (or v258 with a custom `polkit` policy that allows `register-machine` access) is running on a desktop system, an unprivileged user logged in a desktop graphical session can kill arbitrary processes, even privileged ones.

- versions older than v259 are not affected, unless unprivileged access is granted for the `register-machine` polkit action via a local, custom policy config file
- versions older than v258 are not affected
- unrelated to the systemd service manager (pid 1 or user session managers)
- systemd-machined is not typically installed by default, and is typically in an optional, separate package (e.g.: systemd-container)
- terminal-only or remote sessions (e.g.: ssh) are not affected

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8626-1 systemd vulnerabilities
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Systemd
Systemd systemd-machined
Vendors & Products Systemd
Systemd systemd-machined
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

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

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description When systemd-machined >= v259 (or v258 with a custom `polkit` policy that allows `register-machine` access) is running on a desktop system, an unprivileged user logged in a desktop graphical session can kill arbitrary processes, even privileged ones. - versions older than v259 are not affected, unless unprivileged access is granted for the `register-machine` polkit action via a local, custom policy config file - versions older than v258 are not affected - unrelated to the systemd service manager (pid 1 or user session managers) - systemd-machined is not typically installed by default, and is typically in an optional, separate package (e.g.: systemd-container) - terminal-only or remote sessions (e.g.: ssh) are not affected
Title systemd-machined: unprivileged users can terminate arbitrary processes
Weaknesses CWE-284
CWE-862
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 4.7, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
systemd
Published
Updated
Aug 10, 2026, 5:57 PM
Reserved
Jul 8, 2026, 2:15 PM
Status
Awaiting Analysis
Published
Aug 10, 2026, 2:17 PM
Modified
Oct 23, 2026, 8:10 PM