MEDIUM
CVE-2005-2959
CWE-264Published: October 25, 2005· Updated: Jun 16, 2026
4.6
CVSS v3.1
Official Description
Incomplete blacklist vulnerability in sudo 1.6.8 and earlier allows local users to gain privileges via the (1) SHELLOPTS and (2) PS4 environment variables before executing a bash script on behalf of another user, which are not cleared even though other variables are.
Technical Analysis
CVE-2005-2959 requires local access, meaning attackers must already have a foothold on the target system.
Exploitation requires some privileges, which limits the exposure to scenarios where an attacker has already gained initial access.
CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown
Exploitability
Attack VectorLocal
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges Req.
User Interaction
Scope
Impact
ConfidentialityP
IntegrityP
AvailabilityP
AV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
Affected Vendors & Products
todd_miller1 product(s)
sudo
Source: NVD CPE · 32 total CPE entries
Exploit & PoC Resources
NO KNOWN EXPLOITNo public exploit confirmed at this time
Exploit-DB
Offensive Security exploit database
GitHub PoC Search
Community PoC repositories
Rapid7 / Metasploit
Metasploit module search
PacketStorm
Security advisories & exploits
NVD Detail
Official NIST entry
MITRE CVE
CVE Program entry
External links open in a new tab. Always verify in a controlled environment before use.
Official Patches & Advisories
All References (38)
→
http://secunia.com/advisories/17318Vendor Advisory
→
http://secunia.com/advisories/17322Vendor Advisory
→
http://secunia.com/advisories/17345Vendor Advisory
→
http://secunia.com/advisories/17390Patch · Vendor Advisory
→
http://secunia.com/advisories/17666Vendor Advisory
→
http://secunia.com/advisories/18549Vendor Advisory
→
http://secunia.com/advisories/24479Vendor Advisory
→
http://www.debian.org/security/2005/dsa-870Patch · Vendor Advisory
→
http://www.securityfocus.com/advisories/9643Vendor Advisory
Quick Facts
CVE IDCVE-2005-2959
CVSS Score4.6 / 10
SeverityMEDIUM
WeaknessCWE-264
CISA KEVNo
Affected1 vendor(s)
PublishedOct 25, 2005
Related CVEs (CWE-264)
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2005-2959 in threat intel feeds
- →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts
Data sourced from NVD (NIST), CISA KEV, and EPSS (FIRST). Analysis generated by CTIWATCH.COM. CVE data is provided under the NVD usage policy.