VDB-237051 · CVE-2023-40303 · Nessus 266306

GNU inetutils up to 2.4 ftpd/rcp/rlogin/rsh/rshd/uucpd set*id return value

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6.5	$0-$5k	0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability has been found in GNU inetutils up to 2.4 and classified as problematic. Affected by this issue is the function set*id of the component ftpd/rcp/rlogin/rsh/rshd/uucpd. Performing a manipulation results in return value. This vulnerability is identified as CVE-2023-40303. There is not any exploit available. To fix this issue, it is recommended to deploy a patch.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as problematic has been found in GNU inetutils up to 2.4. This affects the function set*id of the component ftpd/rcp/rlogin/rsh/rshd/uucpd. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a return value vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-252. The product does not check the return value from a method or function, which can prevent it from detecting unexpected states and conditions. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

GNU inetutils through 2.4 may allow privilege escalation because of unchecked return values of set*id() family functions in ftpd, rcp, rlogin, rsh, rshd, and uucpd. This is, for example, relevant if the setuid system call fails when a process is trying to drop privileges before letting an ordinary user control the activities of the process.

The weakness was released 08/14/2023. It is possible to read the advisory at git.savannah.gnu.org. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2023-40303 since 08/14/2023. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 266306 (Ubuntu 14.04 LTS / 16.04 LTS / 18.04 LTS / 20.04 LTS : Inetutils vulnerabilities (USN-7781-1)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Applying a patch is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at git.savannah.gnu.org.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at Tenable (266306). Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Vendor

Name

inetutils

Version

License

open-source

Website

Vendor: https://www.gnu.org/

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 6.6
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.5

VulDB Base Score: 5.5
VulDB Temp Score: 5.3
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 7.8
NVD Vector: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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Vector	Complexity	Authentication	Confidentiality	Integrity	Availability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Return value
CWE: CWE-252 / CWE-253
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Partially

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

0-Day	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock
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Nessus ID: 266306
Nessus Name: Ubuntu 14.04 LTS / 16.04 LTS / 18.04 LTS / 20.04 LTS : Inetutils vulnerabilities (USN-7781-1)

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Patch
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Patch: git.savannah.gnu.org

Timelineinfo

08/14/2023 🔍
08/14/2023 +0 days 🔍
08/14/2023 +0 days 🔍
10/01/2025 +779 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: gnu.org

Advisory: git.savannah.gnu.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2023-40303 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2023-40303
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-237051

Entryinfo

Created: 08/14/2023 08:14
Updated: 10/01/2025 13:57
Changes: 08/14/2023 08:14 (40), 09/08/2023 15:39 (11), 10/01/2025 13:57 (17)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.