Vulnerability identifier: #VU74146

Vulnerability risk: Low

CVSSv3.1: 7.7 [CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C]

CVE-ID: CVE-2023-26604

CWE-ID: CWE-269

Exploitation vector: Local

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
systemd
Server applications / Other server solutions

Vendor:

Description

The vulnerability allows a local user to escalate privileges on the system.

The vulnerability exists due to improper privilege management for some Sudo configurations, e.g., plausible sudoers files in which the "systemctl status" command may be executed. Specifically, systemd does not set LESSSECURE to 1, and thus other programs may be launched from the less program. This presents a substantial security risk when running systemctl from Sudo, because less executes as root when the terminal size is too small to show the complete systemctl output.

Mitigation
Install updates from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

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External links
http://medium.com/@zenmoviefornotification/saidov-maxim-cve-2023-26604-c1232a526ba7
http://github.com/systemd/systemd/blob/main/NEWS#L4335-L4340
http://blog.compass-security.com/2012/10/dangerous-sudoers-entries-part-2-insecure-functionality/

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

No. This vulnerability can be exploited locally. The attacker should have authentication credentials and successfully authenticate on the system.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.