High severity · published Mar 17, 2026
CVE-2026-3888
Local Privilege Escalation in snapd
7.8
CVSS
1.4%
EPSS
No
On KEV
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.
CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Attack vector
Local
Complexity
High
Privileges
Low
User interaction
None
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Scope
Changed
Exploitation
Is it being used?
Exploit prediction (EPSS)1.4% · higher than 72% of CVEs
Exploited in the wildNo evidence yet
CISA KEVNot listed
Ransomware campaign useNot known
Affected products
Which versions
U1
Ubuntu 16.04 LTS · Canonical
All versions, or not specified · source: vendor
U1
Ubuntu 18.04 LTS · Canonical
All versions, or not specified · source: vendor
U2
Ubuntu 20.04 LTS · Canonical
All versions, or not specified · source: vendor
U2
Ubuntu 22.04 LTS · Canonical
All versions, or not specified · source: vendor
U2
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS · Canonical
All versions, or not specified · source: vendor
UL
Ubuntu Linux · Canonical
16.04; 18.04; 20.04; 22.04; 24.04 · source: NVD
In the news
VulnerabilityHigh
CVE-2026-3888: Ubuntu Desktop 24.04+ vulnerable to Root exploit
Ubuntu flaw CVE-2026-3888 lets attackers gain root via a systemd timing exploit, affecting Desktop 24.04+ with high severity. Qualys researchers found a high-severity flaw, tracked as CVE-2026-3888 (CVSS score of 7.8), in Ubuntu Desktop 24.04+, which allows attackers to exploit a systemd cleanup timing issue to escalate privileges to root and potentially take full control […]
Mar 18, 2026·Security Affairs
VulnerabilityHigh
Ubuntu CVE-2026-3888 Bug Lets Attackers Gain Root via systemd Cleanup Timing Exploit
A high-severity security flaw affecting default installations of Ubuntu Desktop versions 24.04 and later could be exploited to escalate privileges to the root level. Tracked as CVE-2026-3888 (CVSS score: 7.8), the issue could allow an attacker to seize control of a susceptible system. "This flaw (CVE-2026-3888) allows an unprivileged local attacker to escalate privileges to full root access
Mar 18, 2026·The Hacker News
VulnerabilityCritical
CVE-2026-3888: Important Snap Flaw Enables Local Privilege Escalation to Root
The Qualys Threat Research Unit has identified a Local Privilege Escalation (LPE) vulnerability affecting default installations of Ubuntu Desktop version 24.04 and later. This flaw (CVE-2026-3888) allows an unprivileged local attacker to escalate privileges to full root access through the interaction of two standard system components: snap-confine and systemd-tmpfiles. While the exploit requires a specific […]
Mar 17, 2026·Qualys Blog
Affected product
U1
Ubuntu 16.04 LTS
Canonical
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