Description
Sudo 1.6.9 before 1.8.5, when env_reset is disabled, does not properly check environment variables for the env_delete restriction, which allows local users with sudo permissions to bypass intended command restrictions via a crafted environment variable.
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 | 1.8.5p2-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | sudo | 1.8.5p2-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | sudo | 1.8.5p2-1 | — |
| Debian 6.0 | sudo | 1.7.4p4-2.squeeze.5 | DLA-160-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 5 | sudo | 1.7.2p1-29.el5_10 | RHSA-2014:0266 |
Advisories 2
- RHSA-2014:0266 Red Hat Security Advisory: sudo security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DLA-160-1 sudo - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/ovmbulletinjul2016-3090546.html
- http://www.sudo.ws/sudo/alerts/env_add.html
- SUSE-SU-2014:0475 vendor-advisory
- APPLE-SA-2015-08-13-2 vendor-advisory
- USN-2146-1 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2014:0266 vendor-advisory
- [oss-security] 20140305 sudo: security policy bypass when env_reset is disabled mailing-list
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT205031
- 65997 vdb-entry