Description
Format string vulnerability in the sudo_debug function in Sudo 1.8.0 through 1.8.3p1 allows local users to execute arbitrary code via format string sequences in the program name for sudo.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | sudo | 1.8.3p2-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | sudo | 1.8.3p2-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | sudo | 1.8.3p2-1 | — |
Public exploits
Exploit or proof-of-concept code for this vulnerability is publicly available, which lowers the bar for attackers. Treat it as a reason to patch sooner.
Third-party code, not reviewed by us. Public PoCs are sometimes fake or contain malware. Read the code first and run it only in an isolated lab, against systems you are authorised to test.
Exploit-DB 2
- sudo 1.8.0 < 1.8.3p1 - 'sudo_debug' glibc FORTIFY_SOURCE Bypass + Privilege Escalation EDB-25134 · local · May 1, 2013 · verified
- sudo 1.8.0 < 1.8.3p1 - Format String EDB-18436 · dos · Jan 31, 2012 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.