Description
sudo before 1.8.12 does not ensure that the TZ environment variable is associated with a zoneinfo file, which allows local users to open arbitrary files for read access (but not view file contents) by running a program within an sudo session, as demonstrated by interfering with terminal output, discarding kernel-log messages, or repositioning tape drives.
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 | 1.8.12-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | sudo | 1.8.12-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | sudo | 1.8.12-1 | — |
| Debian 7 | sudo | 1.8.5p2-1+nmu2 | DSA-3167-1 |
| Debian 6.0 | sudo | 1.7.4p4-2.squeeze.5 | DLA-160-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | sudo | 1.8.9p5-1ubuntu1.1 | USN-2533-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 7 | sudo +1 | 1.8.6p7-16.el7 | RHBA-2015:2424 |
| RHEL 6 | sudo +1 | 1.8.6p3-19.el6 | RHSA-2015:1409 |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 12 SP1 | sudo | 1.8.10p3-2.6.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:2904-1 |
Show 1 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES for SAP 12 SP1 | sudo | 1.8.10p3-2.6.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:2904-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | sudo | 1.9.7p2-1.4 | openSUSE-SU-2024:11413-1 |
Advisories 7
- RHSA-2015:1409 Red Hat Security Advisory: sudo security, bug fix, and enhancement update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- RHBA-2015:2424 Red Hat Bug Fix Advisory: sudo bug fix and enhancement update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-3167-1 sudo - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DLA-160-1 sudo - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- USN-2533-1 sudo vulnerability Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Feb 10, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2016:2904-1 Security update for sudo SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:11413-1 sudo-1.9.7p2-1.4 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- GLSA-201504-02 vendor-advisory
- 1033158 vdb-entry
- [oss-security] 20141016 Abusing TZ for fun (and little profit) mailing-list
- http://www.sudo.ws/alerts/tz.html
- RHSA-2015:1409 vendor-advisory