Sudo Vulnerability in Chroot Mode Affects Local User Access
CVE-2025-32463

9.3CRITICAL

Key Information:

Status
Vendor
CVE Published:
30 June 2025

Badges

🥇 Trended No. 1📈 Trended📈 Score: 6,110👾 Exploit Exists🟡 Public PoC🟣 EPSS 21%🦅 CISA Reported📰 News Worthy

What is CVE-2025-32463?

CVE-2025-32463 is a significant vulnerability found in the Sudo software, which is widely utilized in Unix-like operating systems to allow users to run programs with the security privileges of another user, typically the superuser. This particular flaw is associated with the software's chroot mode, which provides an isolated environment for executing commands. The vulnerability arises from the improper handling of the /etc/nsswitch.conf file sourced from a directory controlled by the user when using the --chroot option. This misconfiguration can inadvertently permit local users to gain root access, thereby bypassing essential security controls and compromising the integrity of the system.

The implications of this vulnerability are especially concerning for organizations that rely on Sudo for user management and privilege escalation. If exploited, it could lead to unauthorized administrative access, allowing malicious actors to manipulate system settings, access sensitive data, or even deploy further attacks within the network.

Potential Impact of CVE-2025-32463

  1. Unauthorized Root Access: Local users can exploit this vulnerability to achieve root privileges, enabling them to execute arbitrary commands with full administrative rights, potentially leading to severe security breaches.

  2. System Compromise: By gaining root access, an attacker can manipulate critical system files, install malicious software, or modify system configurations to maintain persistence and control over the compromised system.

  3. Data Leakage and Manipulation: The ability to operate with elevated privileges could result in unauthorized access to sensitive data, leading to data breaches, loss of confidentiality, and potential regulatory repercussions for organizations.

CISA has reported CVE-2025-32463

CISA provides regional cyber and physical services to support security and resilience across the United States. CISA monitor the most dangerious vulnerabilities and have identifed CVE-2025-32463 as being exploited but is not known by the CISA to be used in ransomware campaigns. This is subject to change at pace

The CISA's recommendation is: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.

Affected Version(s)

Sudo 1.9.14 < 1.9.17p1

Exploit Proof of Concept (PoC)

PoC code is written by security researchers to demonstrate the vulnerability can be exploited. PoC code is also a key component for weaponization which could lead to ransomware.

News Articles

PoC Released for Sudo chroot Flaw Allowing Local Privilege Escalation

A new proof-of-concept (PoC) - CVE-2025-32463, exploit has been published for a critical flaw in the widely used sudo utility.

3 weeks ago

New PoC Exploit Released for Sudo Chroot Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

A critical vulnerability in the widely used Sudo utility has come under scrutiny following the public release of a proof-of-concept exploit, raising alarms for Linux system administrators worldwide.

3 weeks ago

PoC Published for Sudo Flaw Lets Attackers Escalate to Root

A PoC exploit has been released for CVE-2025-32463, a critical local privilege escalation vulnerability affecting the Sudo binary.

1 month ago

References

EPSS Score

21% chance of being exploited in the next 30 days.

CVSS V3.1

Score:
9.3
Severity:
CRITICAL
Confidentiality:
High
Integrity:
High
Availability:
High
Attack Vector:
Local
Attack Complexity:
Low
Privileges Required:
None
User Interaction:
None
Scope:
Changed

Timeline

  • 🦅

    CISA Reported

  • 🥇

    Vulnerability reached the number 1 worldwide trending spot

  • 📈

    Vulnerability started trending

  • 🟡

    Public PoC available

  • 👾

    Exploit known to exist

  • 📰

    First article discovered by CyberSecurityNews

  • Vulnerability published

  • Vulnerability Reserved

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CVE-2025-32463 : Sudo Vulnerability in Chroot Mode Affects Local User Access