# CVE-2002-0638

## Summary

- **CVE ID:** CVE-2002-0638
- **Severity:** UNKNOWN
- **CVSS Score:** 0
- **CWE:** N/A
- **Published:** Apr 2, 2003
- **Last Modified:** Mar 16, 2026

## Description

setpwnam.c in the util-linux package, as included in Red Hat Linux 7.3 and earlier, and other operating systems, does not properly lock a temporary file when modifying /etc/passwd, which may allow local users to gain privileges via a complex race condition that uses an open file descriptor in utility programs such as chfn and chsh.

## Affected Products

- n/a — n/a (n/a)

## References

- [CNA](ftp://ftp.caldera.com/pub/security/OpenLinux/CSSA-2002-043.0.txt)
- [CNA](http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/5344)
- [CNA](http://www.iss.net/security_center/static/9709.php)
- [CNA](http://www.linux-mandrake.com/en/security/2002/MDKSA-2002-047.php)
- [CNA](http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2002-132.html)
- [CNA](http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/405955)
- [CNA](http://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/bugtraq/2002-07/0357.html)
- [CNA](http://distro.conectiva.com.br/atualizacoes/?id=a&anuncio=000523)
- [CNA](http://online.securityfocus.com/advisories/4320)
- [CNA](http://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/bugtraq/2002-07/0396.html)
- [CNA](http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=102795787713996&w=2)
- [CNA](http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2002-137.html)
- [CNA](http://www.osvdb.org/5164)

## Exploitation Prediction (EPSS)

- **EPSS Score:** 0.08%
- **EPSS Percentile:** 24.6

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_Exported from OnDuty AI Vulnerability Intelligence on 2026-09-18._