VULNERABILITY INTELLIGENCE

CVE-2023-29383

CVSS score3.3 LOW
EPSS probability0.43%
CISA KEVNot currently listed
Published2023-04-14
Last modified2026-10-14
CVSS vectorCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N

Description

In Shadow 4.13, it is possible to inject control characters into fields provided to the SUID program chfn (change finger). Although it is not possible to exploit this directly (e.g., adding a new user fails because \n is in the block list), it is possible to misrepresent the /etc/passwd file when viewed. Use of \r manipulations and Unicode characters to work around blocking of the : character make it possible to give the impression that a new user has been added. In other words, an adversary may be able to convince a system administrator to take the system offline (an indirect, social-engineered denial of service) by demonstrating that "cat /etc/passwd" shows a rogue user account.

Weakness classification

  • nvd@nist.gov: CWE-74
  • 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0: CWE-125

Primary references