CVE-2026-28372

Name: CVE-2026-28372
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2026-02-27T06:18:00.077+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.8/10EPSS 0.37%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2026-28372 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.8/10 on the CVSS scale. telnetd in GNU inetutils through 2.7 allows privilege escalation that can be exploited by abusing systemd service credentials support added to the login(1) implementation of util-linux in release 2.40. This is related to client control over the CREDENTIALS_DIRECTORY environment variable, and requires an unprivileged local user to create a login.noauth file.. EPSS estimates a 0.37% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

telnetd in GNU inetutils through 2.7 allows privilege escalation that can be exploited by abusing systemd service credentials support added to the login(1) implementation of util-linux in release 2.40. This is related to client control over the CREDENTIALS_DIRECTORY environment variable, and requires an unprivileged local user to create a login.noauth file.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.8/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

0.37%

29.2th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-829

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Gnu	Inetutils	<= 2.7

References

https://git.hadrons.org/cgit/debian/pkgs/inetutils.git/commit/?id=3953943d8296310485f98963883a798545ab9a6cPatch
https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/bug-inetutils/2026-02/msg00000.htmlExploit, Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/bug-inetutils/2026-02/msg00012.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/02/24/1Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/02/27/3Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/03/06/2
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/03/06/3
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/03/07/1
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/03/07/2

Timeline

Published: Feb 27, 2026
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2026-28372?

How severe is CVE-2026-28372?

CVE-2026-28372 has a CVSS score of 7.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.37% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2026-28372?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2026-28372?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST