Description
The hesiod_init function in lib/hesiod.c in Hesiod 3.2.1 compares EUID with UID to determine whether to use configurations from environment variables, which allows local users to gain privileges via the (1) HESIOD_CONFIG or (2) HES_DOMAIN environment variable and leveraging certain SUID/SGUID binary.
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 | hesiod | 3.2.1-3.1 | — |
| Debian 13 | hesiod | 3.2.1-3.1 | — |
| Debian 12 | hesiod | 3.2.1-3.1 | — |
| Debian 7 | hesiod | 3.0.2-21+deb7u1 | DLA-796-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | hesiod | 3.2.1-3.1~build0.18.04.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | hesiod | 3.2.1-3.1~build0.16.04.1 | — |
Advisories 1
- DLA-796-1 hesiod - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026