CVE-2005-2959: Incomplete blacklist vulnerability in sudo 1.6.8 and earlier allows local users to gain privileges via the...

Security readout for executives and security teams

This is an old sudo local privilege escalation issue. On systems running sudo 1.6.8 or earlier, a local user may be able to influence a bash script run through sudo by using environment variables that sudo failed to clear, potentially gaining another user’s privileges. Exposure is most likely on legacy Unix, Linux, or macOS systems still using sudo 1.6.8 or earlier, especially where sudoers permits users to run bash scripts as another user. Prioritize remediation on legacy systems where untrusted or lower-privileged users have shell access. The business risk is privilege escalation after local access, not internet-wide remote compromise based on the provided evidence. Mitigation focus: Inventory sudo versions and flag sudo 1.6.8 or earlier.; Apply the relevant vendor sudo security update or supported package.; Review sudoers entries that allow running bash scripts as another user..

Prepared

Jun 29, 2026, 17:15 UTC (UTC+00:00)

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.