Description
In Sudo before 1.9.12p2, the sudoedit (aka -e) feature mishandles extra arguments passed in the user-provided environment variables (SUDO_EDITOR, VISUAL, and EDITOR), allowing a local attacker to append arbitrary entries to the list of files to process. This can lead to privilege escalation. Affected versions are 1.8.0 through 1.9.12.p1. The problem exists because a user-specified editor may contain a "--" argument that defeats a protection mechanism, e.g., an EDITOR='vim -- /path/to/extra/file' value.
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 | 1.9.12p2-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | sudo | 1.9.12p2-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | sudo | 1.9.12p2-1 | — |
| Debian 11 | sudo | 1.9.5p2-3+deb11u1 | DSA-5321-1 |
| Debian 10 | sudo | 1.8.27-1+deb10u5 | DLA-3272-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | sudo | 1.9.9-1ubuntu2.2 | USN-5811-1 |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | sudo | 1.8.31-1ubuntu1.4 | USN-5811-1 |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | sudo | 1.8.21p2-3ubuntu1.5 | USN-5811-1 |
Show 2 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu Pro 16.04 LTS | sudo | 1.8.16-0ubuntu1.10+esm1 | USN-5811-2 |
| Ubuntu Pro 14.04 LTS | sudo | 1.8.9p5-1ubuntu1.5+esm7 | USN-5811-3 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 9 | sudo +1 | 1.9.5p2-7.el9_1.1 | RHSA-2023:0282 |
| RHEL 8 | sudo | 1.8.29-8.el8_7.1 | RHSA-2023:0284 |
| RHEL 7 | sudo +1 | 1.8.23-10.el7_9.3 | RHSA-2023:0291 |
Show 14 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Rhev Hypervisor 4 | redhat-virtualization-host +1 | 4.5.3-202302150956_8.6 | RHSA-2023:0859 |
| RHEL 9.0 EUS | sudo +1 | 1.9.5p2-7.el9_0.2 | RHSA-2023:0281 |
| RHEL 8.6 EUS | sudo | 1.8.29-8.el8_6.1 | RHSA-2023:0283 |
| RHEL 8.4 EUS | sudo | 1.8.29-7.el8_4.2 | RHSA-2023:0293 |
| RHEL 8.2 TUS | sudo | 1.8.29-5.el8_2.2 | RHSA-2023:0292 |
| RHEL 8.2 E4S | sudo | 1.8.29-5.el8_2.2 | RHSA-2023:0292 |
| RHEL 8.2 AUS | sudo | 1.8.29-5.el8_2.2 | RHSA-2023:0292 |
| RHEL 8.1 E4S | sudo | 1.8.25p1-8.el8_1.3 | RHSA-2023:0280 |
| RHEL 7.7 TUS | sudo +1 | 1.8.23-4.el7_7.4 | RHSA-2023:3276 |
| RHEL 7.7 E4S | sudo +1 | 1.8.23-4.el7_7.4 | RHSA-2023:3276 |
| RHEL 7.7 AUS | sudo +1 | 1.8.23-4.el7_7.4 | RHSA-2023:3276 |
| RHEL 7.6 AUS | sudo +1 | 1.8.23-3.el7_6.3 | RHSA-2023:3262 |
| RHEL 7.4 AUS | sudo +1 | 1.8.19p2-12.el7_4.3 | RHSA-2023:3264 |
| RHEL 6 ELS | sudo +1 | 1.8.6p3-29.el6_10.7 | RHSA-2023:0287 |
AlmaLinux
Errata ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| AlmaLinux 9 | sudo +1 | 1.9.5p2-7.el9_1.1 | ALSA-2023:0282 |
| AlmaLinux 8 | sudo | 1.8.29-8.el8_7.1 | ALSA-2023:0284 |
Rocky Linux
Errata ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Linux 9 | sudo | 1.9.5p2-7.el9_1.1 | RLSA-2023:0282 |
| Rocky Linux 8 | sudo | 1.8.29-8.el8_7.1 | RLSA-2023:0284 |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 15 SP4 | sudo | 1.9.9-150400.4.12.1 | SUSE-SU-2023:0114-1 |
| SLES 15 SP3 | sudo | 1.9.5p2-150300.3.19.1 | SUSE-SU-2023:0115-1 |
| SLES 15 SP2 | sudo | 1.8.27-150000.4.38.1 | SUSE-SU-2023:0116-1 |
| SLES 15 SP1 | sudo | 1.8.27-150000.4.38.1 | SUSE-SU-2023:0116-1 |
| SLES 12 SP5 | sudo | 1.8.27-4.33.1 | SUSE-SU-2023:0117-1 |
Show 22 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 12 SP4 | sudo | 1.8.20p2-3.36.1 | SUSE-SU-2023:0101-1 |
| SLES 12 SP2 | sudo | 1.8.10p3-10.44.1 | SUSE-SU-2023:0100-1 |
| SLES for SAP 15 SP3 | sudo | 1.9.5p2-150300.3.19.1 | SUSE-SU-2023:0115-1 |
| SLES for SAP 15 SP2 | sudo | 1.8.27-150000.4.38.1 | SUSE-SU-2023:0116-1 |
| SLES for SAP 15 SP1 | sudo | 1.8.27-150000.4.38.1 | SUSE-SU-2023:0116-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP5 | sudo | 1.8.27-4.33.1 | SUSE-SU-2023:0117-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP4 | sudo | 1.8.20p2-3.36.1 | SUSE-SU-2023:0101-1 |
| SLE Real Time 15 SP3 | sudo | 1.9.5p2-150300.3.19.1 | SUSE-SU-2023:0115-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.3 | sudo | 1.9.9-150400.4.12.1 | SUSE-SU-2023:0114-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.2 | sudo | 1.9.5p2-150300.3.19.1 | SUSE-SU-2023:0115-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.1 | sudo | 1.9.5p2-150300.3.19.1 | SUSE-SU-2023:0115-1 |
| SLE HPC 15 SP3 | sudo | 1.9.5p2-150300.3.19.1 | SUSE-SU-2023:0115-1 |
| SLE HPC 15 SP2 | sudo | 1.8.27-150000.4.38.1 | SUSE-SU-2023:0116-1 |
| SLE HPC 15 SP1 | sudo | 1.8.27-150000.4.38.1 | SUSE-SU-2023:0116-1 |
| SUSE OpenStack Cloud Crowbar 9 | sudo | 1.8.20p2-3.36.1 | SUSE-SU-2023:0101-1 |
| SUSE OpenStack Cloud 9 | sudo | 1.8.20p2-3.36.1 | SUSE-SU-2023:0101-1 |
| SUSE Manager Server 4.2 | sudo | 1.9.5p2-150300.3.19.1 | SUSE-SU-2023:0115-1 |
| SUSE Manager Retail Branch Server 4.2 | sudo | 1.9.5p2-150300.3.19.1 | SUSE-SU-2023:0115-1 |
| SUSE Manager Proxy 4.2 | sudo | 1.9.5p2-150300.3.19.1 | SUSE-SU-2023:0115-1 |
| SUSE Enterprise Storage 7.1 | sudo | 1.9.5p2-150300.3.19.1 | SUSE-SU-2023:0115-1 |
| SUSE Enterprise Storage 7 | sudo | 1.8.27-150000.4.38.1 | SUSE-SU-2023:0116-1 |
| SUSE Enterprise Storage 6 | sudo | 1.8.27-150000.4.38.1 | SUSE-SU-2023:0116-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | sudo | 1.9.12p2-1.1 | openSUSE-SU-2024:12638-1 |
| openSUSE Leap 15.4 | sudo | 1.9.9-150400.4.12.1 | SUSE-SU-2023:0114-1 |
Show 2 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Leap Micro 5.3 | sudo | 1.9.9-150400.4.12.1 | SUSE-SU-2023:0114-1 |
| openSUSE Leap Micro 5.2 | sudo | 1.9.5p2-150300.3.19.1 | SUSE-SU-2023:0115-1 |
Alpine
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine v3.24 | sudo | 1.9.12_p2-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.23 | sudo | 1.9.12_p2-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.22 | sudo | 1.9.12_p2-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.21 | sudo | 1.9.12_p2-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.20 | sudo | 1.9.12_p2-r0 | — |
Show 5 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine v3.19 | sudo | 1.9.12_p2-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.18 | sudo | 1.9.12_p2-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.17 | sudo | 1.9.12_p2-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.15 | sudo | 1.9.12_p2-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.14 | sudo | 1.9.12_p2-r0 | — |
Amazon Linux
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Linux 2023 | sudo +3 | 1.9.12-1.p2.amzn2023.0.2 | ALAS2023-2023-106 |
| Amazon Linux 2 | sudo +1 | 1.8.23-10.amzn2.3.1 | ALAS2-2023-1985 |
Azure Linux
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Azure Linux 2 (CBL-Mariner) | sudo | 1.9.12p2-1 | — |
Oracle Linux
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oracle Linux 9 | sudo +1 | 1.9.5p2-7.el9_1.1 | ELSA-2023-0282 |
| Oracle Linux 8 | sudo +1 | 1.8.6p3-29.0.4.el6_10.3 | ELSA-2023-12143, ELSA-2023-0284 |
| Oracle Linux 7 | sudo +1 | 1.8.23-10.el7_9.3 | ELSA-2023-0291 |
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.
Metasploit 1 module
-
Sudoedit Extra Arguments Priv Esc
exploit/linux/local/sudoedit_bypass_priv_esc
Exploit-DB 1
- sudo 1.8.0 to 1.9.12p1 - Privilege Escalation EDB-51217 · local · Apr 3, 2023
GitHub 12 repositories · most starred shown
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n3m1sys/CVE-2023-22809-sudoedit-privesc ★ 163 · Jan 21, 2023
A script to automate privilege escalation with CVE-2023-22809 vulnerability
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asepsaepdin/CVE-2023-22809 ★ 6 · Jul 10, 2023
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P4x1s/CVE-2023-22809-sudo-POC ★ 6 · Apr 6, 2023
CVE-2023-22809 Linux Sudo
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M4fiaB0y/CVE-2023-22809 ★ 6 · Feb 22, 2023
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D0rDa4aN919/CVE-2023-22809-Exploiter ★ 2 · Aug 28, 2024
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Toothless5143/CVE-2023-22809 ★ 2 · Aug 6, 2023
Running this exploit on a vulnerable system allows a local attacker to gain a root shell on the machine.
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Chan9Yan9/CVE-2023-22809 ★ 2 · Jun 20, 2023
Analysis & Exploit
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ValeuDoamne/CVE-2023-22809 ★ 1 · Jan 14, 2026
Implementation of the CVE-2023-22809
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Spydomain/CVE-2023-22809-automated-python-exploits ★ 1 · Jul 30, 2025
Automates vulnerability check for sudo versions and privilege escalation via sudoedit if exploitable, helping users test and gain root access.
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hello4r1end/patch_CVE-2023-22809 ★ 0 · Jun 8, 2023
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 47
- ALSA-2023:0282 Important: sudo security update AlmaLinux Security Advisories · Oct 29, 2026
- ALSA-2023:0284 Important: sudo security update AlmaLinux Security Advisories · Oct 29, 2026
- WID-SEC-2023-0266 genua genucenter: Mehrere Schwachstellen ermöglichen nicht spezifizierten Angriff BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · Oct 11, 2026
- WID-SEC-2024-0794 Dell ECS: Mehrere Schwachstellen BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · Aug 11, 2026
- RHSA-2023:3276 Red Hat Security Advisory: sudo security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Aug 7, 2026
- RHSA-2023:3262 Red Hat Security Advisory: sudo security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Aug 7, 2026
- RHSA-2023:3264 Red Hat Security Advisory: sudo security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Aug 7, 2026
- RHSA-2023:0859 Red Hat Security Advisory: Red Hat Virtualization Host 4.4.z SP 1 security update batch#4 (oVirt-4.5.3-4) Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Aug 7, 2026
- RHSA-2023:0292 Red Hat Security Advisory: sudo security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Aug 7, 2026
- RHSA-2023:0293 Red Hat Security Advisory: sudo security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Aug 7, 2026
- RHSA-2023:0291 Red Hat Security Advisory: sudo security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Aug 7, 2026
- RHSA-2023:0287 Red Hat Security Advisory: sudo security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Aug 7, 2026
- RHSA-2023:0284 Red Hat Security Advisory: sudo security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Aug 7, 2026
- RHSA-2023:0282 Red Hat Security Advisory: sudo security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Aug 7, 2026
- RHSA-2023:0283 Red Hat Security Advisory: sudo security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Aug 7, 2026
- RHSA-2023:0280 Red Hat Security Advisory: sudo security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Aug 7, 2026
- RHSA-2023:0281 Red Hat Security Advisory: sudo security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Aug 7, 2026
- USN-5811-3 sudo vulnerability Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Jun 29, 2026
- USN-5811-2 sudo vulnerability Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Jun 25, 2026
- USN-5811-1 sudo vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Apr 27, 2026
- DSA-5321-1 sudo - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DLA-3272-1 sudo - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- RLSA-2023:0282 Important: sudo security update Rocky Linux Security Advisories · Feb 5, 2026
- RLSA-2023:0284 Important: sudo security update Rocky Linux Security Advisories · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2023:0117-1 Security update for sudo SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2023:0116-1 Security update for sudo SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2023:0101-1 Security update for sudo SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:12638-1 sudo-1.9.12p2-1.1 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2023:0115-1 Security update for sudo SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2023:0114-1 Security update for sudo SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- WID-SEC-2023-1542 Red Hat OpenShift: Mehrere Schwachstellen BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · Nov 18, 2025
- WID-SEC-2023-1424 Xerox FreeFlow Print Server für Solaris: Mehrere Schwachstellen BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · Oct 6, 2025
- SUSE-SU-2023:0100-1 Security update for sudo SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · May 2, 2025
- WID-SEC-2024-0064 Juniper Produkte: Mehrere Schwachstellen BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · Apr 10, 2025
- ICSA-25-105-08 ABB M2M Gateway CISA ICS & IT advisories · Apr 7, 2025
- 2NGA002579 ABB Arctic communication solution ARM600 Vulnerabilities ABB PSIRT · Apr 7, 2025
- WID-SEC-2023-1251 Apple macOS: Mehrere Schwachstellen BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · Aug 19, 2024
- WID-SEC-2023-0809 IBM QRadar SIEM: Mehrere Schwachstellen BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · Feb 19, 2024
- WID-SEC-2023-0151 sudo: Schwachstelle ermöglicht Privilegieneskalation BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · Jan 22, 2024
- WID-SEC-2023-1812 Oracle Communications: Mehrere Schwachstellen BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · Jul 20, 2023
- WID-SEC-2023-1348 IBM Security Guardium: Mehrere Schwachstellen BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · Jun 1, 2023
- ALAS2-2023-1985 Important: sudo security update (Amazon Linux 2) Amazon Linux Security Center (ALAS) · Mar 7, 2023
- ELSA-2023-12143 Important: sudo security update (Oracle Linux 8) Oracle Linux Security Advisories (ELSA) · Feb 28, 2023
- ALAS2023-2023-106 Important: sudo security update (Amazon Linux 2023) Amazon Linux Security Center (ALAS) · Feb 22, 2023
- ELSA-2023-0291 Important: sudo security update (Oracle Linux 7) Oracle Linux Security Advisories (ELSA) · Jan 24, 2023
- ELSA-2023-0282 Important: sudo security update (Oracle Linux 9) Oracle Linux Security Advisories (ELSA) · Jan 23, 2023
- ELSA-2023-0284 Important: sudo security update (Oracle Linux 8) Oracle Linux Security Advisories (ELSA) · Jan 23, 2023
References
- https://www.synacktiv.com/sites/default/files/2023-01/sudo-CVE-2023-22809.pdf
- https://www.sudo.ws/security/advisories/sudoedit_any/
- [debian-lts-announce] 20230118 [SECURITY] [DLA 3272-1] sudo security update mailing-list
- DSA-5321 vendor-advisory
- [oss-security] 20230119 CVE-2023-22809: Sudoedit can edit arbitrary files mailing-list
- FEDORA-2023-9078f609e6 vendor-advisory
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20230127-0015/
- FEDORA-2023-298c136eee vendor-advisory
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/171644/sudo-1.9.12p1-Privilege-Escalation.html
- GLSA-202305-12 vendor-advisory
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT213758
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/172509/Sudoedit-Extra-Arguments-Privilege-Escalation.html
- 20230817 KL-001-2023-003: Cisco ThousandEyes Enterprise Agent Virtual Appliance Arbitrary File Modification via sudoedit mailing-list
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/174234/Cisco-ThousandEyes-Enterprise-Agent-Virtual-Appliance-Arbitrary-File-Modification.html