CVE-2026-3888

Name: CVE-2026-3888
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2026-03-17T14:16:17.41+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.8/10EPSS 0.38%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2026-3888 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.8/10 on the CVSS scale. Local privilege escalation in snapd on Linux allows local attackers to get root privilege by re-creating snap's private /tmp directory when systemd-tmpfiles is configured to automatically clean up this directory. This issue affects Ubuntu 16.04 LTS, 18.04 LTS, 20.04 LTS, 22.04 LTS, and 24.04 LTS.. EPSS estimates a 0.38% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

Local privilege escalation in snapd on Linux allows local attackers to get root privilege by re-creating snap's private /tmp directory when systemd-tmpfiles is configured to automatically clean up this directory. This issue affects Ubuntu 16.04 LTS, 18.04 LTS, 20.04 LTS, 22.04 LTS, and 24.04 LTS.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.8/10

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

EPSS Probability

0.38%

30.1th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-268

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	16.04
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	18.04
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	20.04
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	22.04
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	24.04

References

https://blog.qualys.com/vulnerabilities-threat-research/2026/03/17/cve-2026-3888-important-snap-flaw-enables-local-privilege-escalation-to-rootMitigation, Third Party Advisory
https://cdn2.qualys.com/advisory/2026/03/17/snap-confine-systemd-tmpfiles.txtThird Party Advisory
https://discourse.ubuntu.com/t/snapd-local-privilege-escalation-cve-2026-3888Mitigation, Third Party Advisory
https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-3888Third Party Advisory
https://ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8102-1Third Party Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/03/18/1Mailing List, Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Mar 17, 2026
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Analyzed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2026-3888?

How severe is CVE-2026-3888?

CVE-2026-3888 has a CVSS score of 7.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.38% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2026-3888?

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-2026-3888?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST