Local command execution via inverted filter validation
Published Jul 30, 2026 · Updated Jul 30, 2026
Command injection in PCP's linux_sockets PMDA allows local users to execute arbitrary commands as the PMDA user through a writable filter metric. The sockets_check_filter() result is interpreted backward, accepting shell metacharacters that later enter a popen() command during metric refresh. Exploitation requires low-privileged pmstore access, the linux_sockets PMDA to be loaded, and the ss utility to be present.
Summary
What happened
Command injection in PCP's linux_sockets PMDA allows local users to execute arbitrary commands as the PMDA user through a writable filter metric. The sockets_check_filter() result is interpreted backward, accepting shell metacharacters that later enter a popen() command during metric refresh. Exploitation requires low-privileged pmstore access, the linux_sockets PMDA to be loaded, and the ss utility to be present.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-16524
- Published
- Jul 30, 2026
- Updated
- Jul 30, 2026
- Vendor
- 389 Directory Server
- Product
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
- Classifications
- CWE-78, T1059.004
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Jul 30, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Jul 30, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Affected versions are unavailable in this record. Check the vendor advisory for version and patch details.
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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