Pcp - CraftedSignal Threat Feedhttps://feed.craftedsignal.io/tags/pcp/Trending threats, MITRE ATT&CK coverage, and detection metadata. Fed continuously.Hugoenhello@craftedsignal.iohello@craftedsignal.ioThu, 30 Jul 2026 07:20:10 +0000Privilege Escalation Vulnerability in Performance Co-Pilot linux_sockets Modulehttps://feed.craftedsignal.io/briefs/2026-07-pcp-privesc/Thu, 30 Jul 2026 07:20:10 +0000hello@craftedsignal.iohttps://feed.craftedsignal.io/briefs/2026-07-pcp-privesc/A file descriptor leak in the Performance Co-Pilot (PCP) linux_sockets module allows an attacker with initial code execution to escalate privileges to root.A security vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-16526 exists within the Performance Co-Pilot (PCP) linux_sockets module, specifically categorized as CWE-403: Exposure of File Descriptor to Unintended Control Sphere. This vulnerability stems from an insecure internal connection that leaks file descriptors. An attacker who has already obtained initial low-privilege code execution on a target system can exploit this leak to interact with privileged internal PCP processes. By successfully abusing this communication channel, an unprivileged user can escalate their permissions to root, allowing for the execution of arbitrary commands with full system control. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform utilizing the PCP package.

Impact

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability results in full local privilege escalation. In environments where PCP is deployed, this poses a high risk to system integrity, as attackers can bypass standard access controls to execute unauthorized code as the root user. This could lead to data exfiltration, backdooring of the host, or total system compromise.

Recommendation

  1. Identify all systems running the affected 'pcp' package across the environment using your asset inventory or package management logs.
  2. Apply security updates provided by Red Hat to resolve CVE-2026-16526 as documented in the Red Hat Security Advisory.
  3. Until patching is complete, restrict access to the PCP monitoring services to authorized administrative users only.
  4. Ensure that auditd or system-level process monitoring is configured to detect unexpected privilege changes or suspicious activities originating from the 'pcp' service user context.
]]>highadvisoryprivilege-escalationlinuxcve-2026-16526remote-code-executioncve-2026-16527monitoring-tooldenial-of-servicevulnerabilitypcpCommand Injection in PCP linux_sockets PMDAhttps://feed.craftedsignal.io/briefs/2026-07-pcp-command-injection/Thu, 30 Jul 2026 07:20:04 +0000hello@craftedsignal.iohttps://feed.craftedsignal.io/briefs/2026-07-pcp-command-injection/A command injection vulnerability (CVE-2026-16524) in the PCP linux_sockets PMDA allows local attackers to execute arbitrary commands by injecting shell metacharacters into the network.persocket.filter metric.Performance Co-Pilot (PCP) contains a critical command injection vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-16524. The flaw resides within the linux_sockets Performance Metrics Domain Agent (PMDA). Specifically, the PMDA fails to properly validate input provided via the 'network.persocket.filter' metric. A local attacker with low-level privileges can craft malicious shell metacharacters and inject them into this metric. When the PCP agent refreshes its metrics, the underlying system executes these injected characters as commands with the privileges of the PMDA user. This vulnerability impacts multiple versions of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL 7 through 10) and OpenShift Container Platform, posing a significant risk for privilege escalation and unauthorized system activity on monitored hosts. Defenders must prioritize patching the 'pcp' package to mitigate this vector.

Attack Chain

  1. Attacker gains initial access to the target host with low-privileged user rights.
  2. Attacker identifies that the PCP 'linux_sockets' PMDA is active and accepting metric configuration updates.
  3. Attacker crafts a malicious string containing shell metacharacters (e.g., ;, &&, |).
  4. Attacker writes this malicious string to the 'network.persocket.filter' metric configuration.
  5. The PCP 'linux_sockets' PMDA process triggers a refresh of the metrics configuration.
  6. The PMDA process parses the tainted 'network.persocket.filter' input without sanitization.
  7. The system executes the embedded shell commands under the context of the PMDA service user.
  8. Attacker achieves arbitrary command execution for further post-exploitation activities.

Impact

Successful exploitation of CVE-2026-16524 allows an attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the affected system. Given that performance monitoring agents often run with specific service-level privileges, this can lead to full system compromise, exfiltration of sensitive monitoring data, or lateral movement within the environment. RHEL 7, 8, 9, and 10, along with OpenShift environments, are affected by this vulnerability.

Recommendation

  • Update the 'pcp' package to the latest version provided by Red Hat to patch CVE-2026-16524.
  • Restrict write access to performance metric configuration files and directories to authorized administrative accounts only.
  • Monitor for abnormal process execution spawned by PCP-related binaries, such as 'pmda' processes, using auditd or EDR telemetry.
  • Audit existing 'network.persocket.filter' configurations for anomalous characters or suspicious commands.
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