Bugs Found in sudo
Two critical flaws allow users to gain access to root privileges.
Nearly all major Linux distributions are vulnerable to a couple of sudo bugs. The two vulnerabilities are CVE-2025-32462 and CVE-2025-32463. Although the first bug has a low Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) score of 2.8, the second has a score of 9.3, which is critical.
Both vulnerabilities were discovered by the Stratascale's Cybersecurity Research Unit and the full report can be read here. One very interesting point in the report states that "CVE-2025-32462 has remained unnoticed for over 12 years, despite being present in the code all along."
The report then mentions CVE-2025-32462, when it says, it "...is an issue that has been hidden in plain sight since the host option was implemented 12 years ago. Because it’s a built-in option, no exploit is needed to elevate privileges." The report continues, "However, the issue can only be leveraged with specific configurations using the Host or Host_Alias directives, which are commonly used in enterprise environments."
The sudo --host option allows users to list their sudo rules for a particular host, and the report goes into detail on how this works in conjunction with the flaws.
As far as mitigation is concerned, the only thing you need to do is to confirm that your system's sudo version is at least version 1.9.17p1 or later, which can be done with the command sudo -V. If your version is older than 1.9.17p1, update immediately.
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Bugs Found in sudo
Two critical flaws allow users to gain access to root privileges.
-
Fedora Continues 32-Bit Support
In a move that should come as a relief to some portions of the Linux community, Fedora will continue supporting 32-bit architecture.
-
Linux Kernel 6.17 Drops bcachefs
After a clash over some late fixes and disagreements between bcachefs's lead developer and Linus Torvalds, bachefs is out.
-
ONLYOFFICE v9 Embraces AI
Like nearly all office suites on the market (except LibreOffice), ONLYOFFICE has decided to go the AI route.
-
Two Local Privilege Escalation Flaws Discovered in Linux
Qualys researchers have discovered two local privilege escalation vulnerabilities that allow hackers to gain root privileges on major Linux distributions.
-
New TUXEDO InfinityBook Pro Powered by AMD Ryzen AI 300
The TUXEDO InfinityBook Pro 14 Gen10 offers serious power that is ready for your business, development, or entertainment needs.
-
Danish Ministry of Digital Affairs Transitions to Linux
Another major organization has decided to kick Microsoft Windows and Office to the curb in favor of Linux.
-
Linux Mint 20 Reaches EOL
With Linux Mint 20 at its end of life, the time has arrived to upgrade to Linux Mint 22.
-
TuxCare Announces Support for AlmaLinux 9.2
Thanks to TuxCare, AlmaLinux 9.2 (and soon version 9.6) now enjoys years of ongoing patching and compliance.
-
Go-Based Botnet Attacking IoT Devices
Using an SSH credential brute-force attack, the Go-based PumaBot is exploiting IoT devices everywhere.