CVE-2012-0809 Memory corruption in n/a

High 7.2 Published 1 Feb 2012 Updated 6 Aug 2024

Local attackers can execute arbitrary code and escalate privileges via format string sequences in the program name for sudo.

Exploited in the wild: Not known
Login needed: Any signed-in user
Attackable: Local or same network only
Victim action needed: Not needed
Fix: Available

What is CVE-2012-0809?

CVE-2012-0809 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in n/a, published on 1 Feb 2012. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.

Official description

Format string vulnerability in the sudo_debug function in Sudo 1.8.0 through 1.8.3p1 allows local users to execute arbitrary code via format string sequences in the program name for sudo.

Weakness: CWE-134

Which versions are affected by CVE-2012-0809?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Todd Miller Sudo.

How do I fix CVE-2012-0809?

Upgrade to a fixed version.

Upgrade to the fixed version. Memory-safe languages, compiler hardening and fuzzing prevent most new cases. More about Memory corruption.

Is CVE-2012-0809 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2012-0809 exists.

Public exploit code: 2 Exploit-DB entries.

Sources

Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2012-0809, GHSA-6785-8cf2-mmj4.