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# 🚨 CVE-2026-41651 — Pack2TheRoot

<img width="1200" height="630" alt="Pack2TheRoot" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/9657dff4-a4da-4193-a588-41f6ffabaa75" />

### Privilege Escalation Vulnerability in PackageKit (TOCTOU Race Condition)

![Severity](https://img.shields.io/badge/Severity-High-red)
![Affected](https://img.shields.io/badge/Affected-PackageKit-blue)
![Type](https://img.shields.io/badge/Vulnerability-Privilege%20Escalation-orange)
![Status](https://img.shields.io/badge/Fixed-1.3.5-brightgreen)

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## 📌 Overview

**CVE-2026-41651** is a local privilege escalation vulnerability affecting the **PackageKit** system service used in various Linux distributions.

The vulnerability is caused by a **Time-of-Check to Time-of-Use (TOCTOU) race condition**, which can be abused to manipulate package installation workflows and escalate privileges to root.

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## ⚠️ Impact

If successfully exploited, this vulnerability may allow a local unprivileged user to:

<img width="1920" height="791" alt="CVE-2026-41651" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/1a698457-06df-46ce-9452-6846ac22b0f8" />

- Gain **root-level privileges**
- Execute **arbitrary package installation scripts (RPM scriptlets)**
- Modify system-level configurations
- Compromise system integrity and confidentiality

> 🧠 Note: This vulnerability requires **local access** and cannot be exploited remotely.

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## 🧩 Affected Versions

- PackageKit **1.0.2 → 1.3.4**

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## 🔧 Fixed Version

- PackageKit **1.3.5**

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## 🧬 Technical Description

The issue originates from an unsafe handling of transactional state within PackageKit. A race condition occurs between:

1. **Validation phase (check permissions / flags)**
2. **Execution phase (perform privileged operation)**

During this window, an attacker may manipulate system state, leading to unintended privileged execution.

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## 🛡️ Mitigation

To reduce risk:

- Upgrade PackageKit to **version 1.3.5 or later**
- Apply security updates from your Linux distribution vendor
- Restrict local user access on multi-user systems
- Monitor package management activity logs

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## 🧾 References

- Vendor Security Advisory (PackageKit)
- Linux Distribution Security Updates
- Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures: CVE-2026-41651

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## 📊 Risk Summary

| Attribute        | Value                        |
|------------------|------------------------------|
| Attack Vector    | Local                        |
| Complexity       | Medium                       |
| Privileges Req.  | Low                          |
| Impact           | High (System Compromise)     |

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## ⚡ Disclaimer

This repository is for **educational and defensive security purposes only**.  
No exploit code or malicious instructions are included.

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## 🧠 Stay Secure

Always keep systems updated and review privilege escalation risks in system services regularly.
