CVE-2023-22809
HighExploitedPublic exploitIn 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.
Published Jan 18, 2023 · Updated Oct 8, 2026 · Also known as ALPINE-CVE-2023-22809, DEBIAN-CVE-2023-22809, DLA-3272-1, DSA-5321-1, SUSE-SU-2023:0100-1, SUSE-SU-2023:0101-1, SUSE-SU-2023:0114-1, SUSE-SU-2023:0115-1, SUSE-SU-2023:0116-1, SUSE-SU-2023:0117-1, UBUNTU-CVE-2023-22809, USN-5811-2, USN-5811-3
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2023-22809 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 7.8 v3.1) affecting Sudo (Sudo Project), Macos (Apple), Debian Linux and 9 more products.
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in Industry KEV feed since Dec 6, 2024. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 55% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including Macos 13.4, redhat-virtualization-host 0:4.5.3-202302150956_8.6, rootio-sudo 1.9.12p2-1.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
CVSS v3.1
7.8
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
55%
Higher than 99.0% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
Yes
1 catalog listing
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
Get the full CVE-2023-22809 brief as a PDF
Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.
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.
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industry KEV feed | Dec 6, 2024 | n/a | Not reported |
Required action: Apply remediations or mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if remediation or mitigations are unavailable.
Affected Products
175 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| SudoSudo Project | 1.9.12, 1.9.12-p1 | 1.9.12 |
| MacosApple | See advisory | 13.4 |
| Debian LinuxDebian | 10.0, 11.0 | n/a |
| FedoraFedoraproject | 36, 37 | n/a |
| rootio-sudorootio | See advisory | 1.9.5p2-3+deb11u1 |
Patched Releases
Macos
13.4
redhat-virtualization-host
0:4.5.3-202302150956_8.6
rootio-sudo
1.9.12p2-1, 1.9.5p2-3+deb11u1
seal-sudo
1.8.23-10.el7_9.3+sp999
Sudo
0:1.8.23-3.el7_6.3, 0:1.8.29-7.el8_4.2, 0:1.8.6p3-29.el6_10.7, 0:1.9.5p2-7.el9_0.2, 1.8.10p3-10.44.1, 1.8.16-0ubuntu1.10+esm1, 1.8.20p2-3.36.1, 1.8.21p2-3ubuntu1.5, 1.8.23-10.57.amzn1, 1.8.23-10.amzn2.3.1, 1.8.23-10.el7_9.3, 1.8.23-10.el7_9.3+sp999, 1.8.27-1+deb10u5, 1.8.27-150000.4.38.1, 1.8.27-4.33.1, 1.8.29-8.el8_7.1, 1.8.31-1ubuntu1.4, 1.8.6p3-29.0.4.el6_10.3, 1.8.9p5-1ubuntu1.5+esm7, 1.9.12_p2-r0, 1.9.12-1.p2.amzn2023.0.2, 1.9.12p2-1, 1.9.12p2-1.1, 1.9.13p3-1.ph5, 1.9.5-3.ph4, 1.9.5-5.ph3, 1.9.5p2-150300.3.19.1, 1.9.5p2-3+deb11u1, 1.9.5p2-7.el9_1.1, 1.9.9-150400.4.12.1, 1.9.9-1ubuntu2.2, 1.9.12
sudo-devel
1.8.23-10.57.amzn1, 1.8.23-10.amzn2.3.1, 1.8.23-10.el7_9.3, 1.8.27-150000.4.38.1, 1.8.27-4.33.1, 1.8.6p3-29.0.4.el6_10.3, 1.9.12-1.p2.amzn2023.0.2, 1.9.12p2-1.1, 1.9.5p2-150300.3.19.1, 1.9.9-150400.4.12.1
sudo-logsrvd
1.9.12-1.p2.amzn2023.0.2
sudo-plugin-python
1.9.12p2-1.1, 1.9.5p2-150300.3.19.1, 1.9.9-150400.4.12.1
sudo-python-plugin
1.9.12-1.p2.amzn2023.0.2, 1.9.5p2-7.el9_1.1
sudo-test
1.9.12p2-1.1, 1.9.9-150400.4.12.1
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Jan 18, 2023
Added to Industry KEV feed
Dec 6, 2024
Last updated
Oct 8, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-269 Improper Privilege Management
References
- advisoryhttp://packetstormsecurity.com/files/171644/sudo-1.9.12p1-Privilege-Escalation.html
- advisoryhttp://packetstormsecurity.com/files/172509/Sudoedit-Extra-Arguments-Privilege-Escalation.html
- advisoryhttp://packetstormsecurity.com/files/174234/Cisco-ThousandEyes-Enterprise-Agent-Virtual-Appliance-Arbitrary-File-Modification.html
- advisoryRHSA-2023:0280
- advisoryRHSA-2023:0281
FAQ
Common Questions.
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.
Affected: Sudo (Sudo Project) versions 1.9.12, 1.9.12-p1; Macos (Apple); Debian Linux versions 10.0, 11.0, among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in Industry KEV feed since Dec 6, 2024.
No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including Macos 13.4, redhat-virtualization-host 0:4.5.3-202302150956_8.6, rootio-sudo 1.9.12p2-1.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
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