CVE-2023-26604

systemd: privilege escalation via the less pager

Published Mar 3, 2023 CVSS 3.1 · 7.8 High EPSS 1.1% KEV · Not listed
Description
systemd before 247 does not adequately block local privilege escalation for some Sudo configurations, e.g., plausible sudoers files in which the "systemctl status" command may be executed. Specifically, systemd does not set LESSSECURE to 1, and thus other programs may be launched from the less program. This presents a substantial security risk when running systemctl from Sudo, because less executes as root when the terminal size is too small to show the complete systemctl output.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Debian DLA Debian DLA DLA-3377-1 systemd security update
EUVD EUVD EUVD-2023-30399 systemd before 247 does not adequately block local privilege escalation for some Sudo configurations, e.g., plausible sudoers files in which the "systemctl status" command may be executed. Specifically, systemd does not set LESSSECURE to 1, and thus other programs may be launched from the less program. This presents a substantial security risk when running systemctl from Sudo, because less executes as root when the terminal size is too small to show the complete systemctl output.
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics epss

{'score': 0.04606}

epss

{'score': 0.04717}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics epss

{'score': 0.04717}

epss

{'score': 0.04606}

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Debian
Debian debian Linux
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:10.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Debian
Debian debian Linux
Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-269
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'poc', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Redhat rhel Els
CPEs cpe:/o:redhat:rhel_els:7
Vendors & Products Redhat rhel Els
Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
mitre
Published
Updated
Oct 14, 2026, 10:32 PM
Reserved
Feb 26, 2023, 12:00 AM
Status
Modified
Published
Mar 3, 2023, 4:15 PM
Modified
Oct 14, 2026, 11:17 PM
Severity
Moderate
Public date
Mar 3, 2023, 12:00 AM