CVE-2025-71263

Buffer Overflow in UNIX su Command Enables Local Privilege Escalation

Published Mar 13, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 7.4 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
In UNIX Fourth Research Edition (v4), the su command is vulnerable to a buffer overflow due to the 'password' variable having a fixed size of 100 bytes. A local user can exploit this to gain root privileges. It is unlikely that UNIX v4 is running anywhere outside of a very small number of lab environments. NOTE: This vulnerability only affects products that are no longer supported by the maintainer.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories available
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Opengroup
Opengroup unix
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:opengroup:unix:4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Opengroup
Opengroup unix
Type Values Removed Values Added
Title Buffer Overflow in UNIX su Command Enables Local Privilege Escalation
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In UNIX Fourth Research Edition (v4), the su command is vulnerable to a buffer overflow due to the 'password' variable having a fixed size of 100 bytes. A local user can exploit this to gain root privileges. It is unlikely that UNIX v4 is running anywhere outside of a very small number of lab environments. In UNIX Fourth Research Edition (v4), the su command is vulnerable to a buffer overflow due to the 'password' variable having a fixed size of 100 bytes. A local user can exploit this to gain root privileges. It is unlikely that UNIX v4 is running anywhere outside of a very small number of lab environments. NOTE: This vulnerability only affects products that are no longer supported by the maintainer.
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared At&t Bell Labs
At&t Bell Labs unix
Vendors & Products At&t Bell Labs
At&t Bell Labs unix
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In UNIX Fourth Research Edition (v4), the su command is vulnerable to a buffer overflow due to the 'password' variable having a fixed size of 100 bytes. A local user can exploit this to gain root privileges. It is unlikely that UNIX v4 is running anywhere outside of a very small number of lab environments. In UNIX Fourth Research Edition (v4), the su command is vulnerable to a buffer overflow due to the 'password' variable having a fixed size of 100 bytes. A local user can exploit this to gain root privileges. It is unlikely that UNIX v4 is running anywhere outside of a very small number of lab environments.
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In UNIX Fourth Research Edition (v4), the su command is vulnerable to a buffer overflow due to the 'password' variable having a fixed size of 100 bytes. A local user can exploit this to gain root privileges. It is unlikely that UNIX v4 is running anywhere outside of a very small number of lab environments.
Weaknesses CWE-120
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.4, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
mitre
Published
Updated
Mar 21, 2026, 10:00 PM
Reserved
Mar 13, 2026, 6:38 PM
Status
Analyzed
Published
Mar 13, 2026, 7:53 PM
Modified
Jun 17, 2026, 10:03 AM