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clevis PKCS#11 EUVDEUVD-2026-100954

| CVE-2026-109969 MEDIUM
Missing Authentication for Critical Function (CWE-306)
2026-10-14 redhat GHSA-w2m6-gjp4-v6hh
4.7
CVSS 3.1 · Vendor: redhat
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Attack ChainAIDerived

Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain

  1. Access
    Obtain local user account on host
  2. Delivery
    Locate unprotected AF_UNIX sockets
  3. Exploit
    Connect without credential check
  4. Execution
    Read LUKS passphrase or inject key pair
  5. Impact
    Decrypt or tamper with LUKS volume

Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A07:2025 - Authentication Failures
ASVS 5.0
V6 - Authentication Authentication required for critical functions
MITRE ATT&CK

1 technique across 1 tactic: Initial Access

The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up.

Exploitation Conditions

Exploitation requires (1) a host running the clevis-pkcs11-afunix-socket-unlock daemon as part of a clevis PKCS#11 LUKS unlock configuration, (2) a permissive process umask that leaves the daemon-created AF_UNIX control and data sockets world-accessible, and (3) an authenticated local user account on that host to connect to the sockets. Exploitation is LIMITED by all three: it is local-only (no remote/network path), it does not work under a restrictive default umask, and the clevis PKCS#11 afunix unlock mechanism must actually be in use. There is no required user interaction with a victim. These conditions explain the AC:H rating - the permissive-umask dependency is a non-default state the attacker cannot control.

Impact

This is a genuine but modest-priority local privilege/confidentiality issue, not a mass-exploitation threat. The official CVSS 3.1 vector (AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N = 4.7 Medium) is internally consistent and matches the description: an attacker needs an existing local account (PR:L), the flaw is only reachable under a permissive process umask rather than a default configuration (AC:H), and the headline impact is theft of LUKS passphrases (C:H). No EPSS score, CISA KEV listing, SSVC decision, or public POC was supplied, so exploitation likelihood must be inferred as low-to-moderate: the CWE-306 (missing authentication) root cause makes exploitation trivial IN PRINCIPLE once the umask precondition holds, but the local-only vector and umask dependency sharply limit real-world reach. One signal tension worth flagging: the description says the attacker can also 'inject arbitrary device/key pairs,' which is an integrity effect, yet the vendor vector sets I:N - verify with Red Hat whether injection should carry an integrity impact. Bottom line: patch on a normal cadence; this is not an emergency unless clevis PKCS#11 afunix unlock is deployed on multi-user hosts with loose umask settings.

Exploit ScenarioDerived

On a RHEL host using the clevis PKCS#11 afunix-socket unlock daemon with a permissive umask, a logged-in local user enumerates the unprotected AF_UNIX control and data sockets. Because the daemon performs no peer credential verification, the attacker connects to the data socket and reads the LUKS passphrase, or connects to the control socket to inject an attacker-controlled device/key pair. No public exploit identified at time of analysis, so this would require a custom socket client.

This Month Plan within 30 days. Why: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9).
No patch listed yet 0.1% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAIv1 – Oct 14, 2026

Local attackers can exploit improperly secured AF_UNIX sockets in the clevis PKCS#11 pin to inject arbitrary device/key pairs or intercept LUKS passphrases, potentially gaining unauthorized access to encrypted disks. Affected products include Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7, 8, 9, and 10, as well as Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4. Exploitation requires an authenticated local user and a permissive process umask; no public exploit code or active exploitation has been identified, and the issue is rated modest priority due to the local-only attack vector and dependency on non-default umask settings.

RemediationAI

No vendor-released patch has been identified at the time of analysis. To mitigate, ensure the clevis-pkcs11-afunix-socket-unlock daemon runs with a restrictive umask (e.g., 0077) so that created AF_UNIX sockets are not world-accessible; this can be configured via the systemd service unit using UMask=0077, but may affect permissions of other files created by the daemon. Additionally, restrict local user access to the host as a defense-in-depth measure, and monitor for unexpected connections to the daemon's sockets. If the clevis PKCS#11 afunix unlock mechanism is not required, consider disabling it to eliminate the attack surface. Consult the Red Hat advisory (https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-109969) for updates, as a patch may become available.

Affects your stack

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

Technical ContextAI · show details

The vulnerability resides in the clevis PKCS#11 pin, a component of the clevis framework that automates LUKS disk encryption unlocking using PKCS#11 tokens. The clevis-pkcs11-afunix-socket-unlock daemon creates AF_UNIX sockets for inter-process communication but fails to set explicit permission restrictions or verify peer credentials, as categorized by CWE-306 (Missing Authentication for Critical Function). Under a permissive process umask, these sockets become world-accessible, allowing any local user to connect to the control socket to inject arbitrary device/key pairs or to the data socket to receive LUKS passphrases. The affected CPEs cover Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 through 10 and Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4. Exploitation is constrained by the need for a permissive umask (non-default) and an authenticated local account, which explains the AC:H rating in the independent assessment.

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  • Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources

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Severity by source

Vendor (redhat) PRIMARY 4.7 MEDIUM
AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
vuln.today AI 5.3 MEDIUM

Local sockets require a local account (AV:L, PR:L); the permissive-umask precondition is attacker-uncontrolled (AC:H); passphrase disclosure gives C:H and key-pair injection warrants I:L.

3.1 AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:N
4.0 AV:L/AC:H/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
Red Hat 4.7 MEDIUM

Primary rating from Vendor (redhat).

CVSS VectorVendor: redhat

Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
High
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
None
Availability
None

DescriptionCVE.org

A flaw was found in the clevis PKCS#11 pin. The clevis-pkcs11-afunix-socket-unlock daemon creates AF_UNIX sockets without explicit permission restrictions or peer credential verification. Under a permissive process umask, any local user can connect to the control socket and inject arbitrary device/key pairs, or connect to the data socket to receive LUKS passphrases.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
0.1%
Top 98% exploitable
Prevalence
Low
niche clevis PKCS#11 afunix unlock feature within RHEL disk encryption
Data Quality
5 sources
Confidence: Medium

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 No
EPSS 0.1%
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
Defer
Exploitation· derived
None
System Exposure· derived
Small
Automatable· derived
No
Human Impact· derived
Medium

Priority Score

24
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: 0
CVSS: +24
PoC: 0
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Authentication bypass attacks exploit flaws in the verification mechanisms that control access to systems and applications.

Affected Products (CPE)CVE.org

cpe:2.3:a:red_hat:red_hat_enterprise_linux_10:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:red_hat:red_hat_enterprise_linux_7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:red_hat:red_hat_enterprise_linux_8:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:red_hat:red_hat_enterprise_linux_9:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:red_hat:red_hat_openshift_container_platform_4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:red_hat:red_hat_openshift_container_platform_4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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Vendor StatusVendor

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