What is the CVSS score of CVE-2015-3238?

CVE-2015-3238 has a CVSS 3.0 base score of 6.5 (Medium). CVSS vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:L. EPSS exploitation probability: 3.0%.

Is there a public PoC exploit available for CVE-2015-3238?

Yes, a public proof-of-concept exploit is available for CVE-2015-3238. Prioritise patching immediately. EPSS: 3.0%.

Linux Pam CVE-2015-3238

MEDIUM

Information Exposure (CWE-200)

2015-08-24 secalert@redhat.com

Denial Of Service Information Disclosure Oracle Linux Pam Sparc Opl Service Processor

6.5

CVSS 3.0 · NVD

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Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness	CWE CWE-200 OWASP Top 10:2025 A01:2025 - Broken Access Control ASVS 5.0 V14 - Data Protection Data exposure prevention MITRE ATT&CK 2 techniques across 2 tactics: Collection, Discovery The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up. Sign in to read
Impact	CVSS score of 6.5 (MEDIUM). Attack characteristics: network attack vector, low complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction not required. Public proof-of-concept exploit code is available. EPSS exploitation probability: 3.03%.
Exploit ScenarioDerived	A remote attacker could access sensitive data that should not be disclosed by sending crafted requests to the affected application. No authentication is required to exploit this vulnerability.

This Month Plan within 30 days. Why: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9).

No patch listed yet 3.0% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAI

The _unix_run_helper_binary function in the pam_unix module in Linux-PAM (aka pam) before 1.2.1, when unable to directly access passwords, allows local users to enumerate usernames or cause a denial. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.

RemediationAI

No vendor patch is available at time of analysis. Monitor vendor advisories for updates. Minimize information in error messages, implement proper access controls, encrypt sensitive data at rest and in transit.

Affects your stack

Find out whether the stacks and servers you run are on an affected version.

Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.

Technical ContextAI · show details

This vulnerability is classified as Exposure of Sensitive Information (CWE-200), which allows attackers to access sensitive data that should not be disclosed. The _unix_run_helper_binary function in the pam_unix module in Linux-PAM (aka pam) before 1.2.1, when unable to directly access passwords, allows local users to enumerate usernames or cause a denial of service (hang) via a large password. Affected products include: Linux-Pam, Oracle Sparc-Opl Service Processor. Version information: before 1.2.1.

Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY 6.5 MEDIUM

AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:L

Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorNVD

Attack Vector

Network

Attack Complexity

Low

Privileges Required

None

User Interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

Low

Integrity

None

Availability

Low

DescriptionCVE.org

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score

3.0%

Top 13% exploitable

Exploit

POC

Public exploit code exists

Data Quality

3 sources

Confidence: Low

NVD

CVE.org

EPSS

How this decision was reached

The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.

SignalValue

Severity MEDIUM

CISA KEV No

Public POC Yes

EPSS 3.0%

Patch available No

Active threat No

Deciding rule

MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9)

What every action level means

Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.

Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.

This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.

Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

SSVC Decision· derived

Scheduled

Exploitation· derived

Poc

System Exposure· derived

Open

Automatable· derived

Yes

Human Impact· derived

Medium

Priority Score

Low Medium High Critical

KEV: 0

EPSS: +3

CVSS: +32

PoC: +20

Weaponized: 0

Threat intel: 0

Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Information Disclosure MEDIUM

Information disclosure occurs when an application unintentionally exposes sensitive data that aids attackers in reconnaissance or directly compromises security.

Denial of Service MEDIUM

Denial of Service attacks render applications or systems unavailable by overwhelming resources or triggering failure conditions.