# CVE-2015-1328: Privilege escalation in n/a

> Local attackers can gain root access via improper permission checks in the Linux kernel overlayfs implementation when permitted in arbitrary mount namespaces.

- **Severity:** High 7.8 (`CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Any signed-in user
- **Attackable:** Local or same network only
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 28 Nov 2016
- **Updated:** 6 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-jhgp-x42x-cx6m, UBUNTU-CVE-2015-1328, USN-2643-1, USN-2644-1, USN-2645-1

## What is CVE-2015-1328?

CVE-2015-1328 is a high-severity vulnerability in Canonical Ubuntu Linux, published on 28 Nov 2016. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

The overlayfs implementation in the linux (aka Linux kernel) package before 3.19.0-21.21 in Ubuntu through 15.04 does not properly check permissions for file creation in the upper filesystem directory, which allows local users to obtain root access by leveraging a configuration in which overlayfs is permitted in an arbitrary mount namespace.

Weakness: CWE-264

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2015-1328?

It affects 2 products.


Products: Canonical Ubuntu Linux, Linux kernel.

## How do I fix CVE-2015-1328?

Apply the vendor's patch.

## Is CVE-2015-1328 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2015-1328 exists.

Public exploit code:

- kernel exploit (github_poc): https://github.com/elit3pwner/CVE-2015-1328-GoldenEye
- A Proof of Concept (PoC) exploit for CVE-2015-1328 (github_poc): https://github.com/0xf1d0/CVE-2015-1328
- Linux Kernel 3.13.0 < 3.19 (Ubuntu 12.04/14.04/14.10/15.04) - 'overlayfs' Local Privilege Escalation (exploitdb)
- Linux Kernel 3.13.0 < 3.19 (Ubuntu 12.04/14.04/14.10/15.04) - 'overlayfs' Local Privilege Escalation (Access /etc/shadow) (exploitdb)
- Overlayfs Privilege Escalation (metasploit)
- Linux Kernel (Ubuntu / Fedora / RedHat) - 'Overlayfs' Local Privilege Escalation (Metasploit) (exploitdb)

## Other vulnerabilities in Canonical Ubuntu Linux

- [CVE-2020-11651](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-11651/): SaltStack Salt Authentication Bypass (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2020-7247](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-7247/): OpenSMTPD Remote Code Execution (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2019-16928](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-16928/): Exim Out-of-bounds Write (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2018-6789](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-6789/): Exim Buffer Overflow (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2015-2590](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2015-2590/): Oracle Java SE and Java SE Embedded Remote Code Execution (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2015-1328 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2015-1328 is a high-severity vulnerability in Canonical Ubuntu Linux, published on 28 Nov 2016. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2015-1328 exists.

Affected product: Canonical Ubuntu Linux. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2015-1328/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2015-1328/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2015-1328
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2015-1328
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2015-1328

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2015-1328/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.