Learn more about CVE-2019-18634 – sudo vulnerability

Preface: Sudo (substitute user [or superuser] do) is a program used in Unix-like operating systems such as BSD, Mac OS X, and GNU / Linux to allow users to execute programs in a secure manner with special permissions (usually the system Super user).

Highlight: When pwfeedback is set, sudo will provide visual feedback when the user presses a key. This function allows the system to indicate the currently entered character with an asterisk character.

Vulnerability details: In January 2020, CVE-2019-18634 announced a vulnerability that had existed for more than 9 years, pointing out in the pwfeedback feature option. This function allows the system to indicate the currently entered character with an asterisk character. However, after the pwfeedback function is enabled in the sudoer file, it may allow users to trigger a stack buffer overflow attack, allowing users without system management rights, even those not listed in the sudoer file. Users in can be elevated to root account permissions.

Remedy: The bug is fixed in sudo 1.8.31.