CVE-2019-18634

HIGH

sudo 1.7.1-1.8.25 - Stack-based Buffer Overflow via pwfeedback

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 18 public exploits for CVE-2019-18634. PoCs published by Dylan Katz, Joe Vennix, lockedbyte.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This exploit leverages a buffer overflow in sudo's askpass feature (CVE-2019-18634) to achieve local privilege escalation. It uses a crafted payload to manipulate memory and execute arbitrary code as root via a SUID binary.

Description

In Sudo before 1.8.26, if pwfeedback is enabled in /etc/sudoers, users can trigger a stack-based buffer overflow in the privileged sudo process. (pwfeedback is a default setting in Linux Mint and elementary OS; however, it is NOT the default for upstream and many other packages, and would exist only if enabled by an administrator.) The attacker needs to deliver a long string to the stdin of getln() in tgetpass.c.

Exploits (18)

exploitdb WORKING POC
by Dylan Katz · bashlocallinux
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/48052

This exploit leverages a buffer overflow in sudo's askpass feature (CVE-2019-18634) to achieve local privilege escalation. It uses a crafted payload to manipulate memory and execute arbitrary code as root via a SUID binary.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: sudo versions 1.8.25p to 1.8.31p2
Auth required
Prerequisites: local access · socat installed or downloadable · gcc for compiling the helper binary
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
exploitdb WORKING POC
by Joe Vennix · textdoslinux
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/47995

This exploit demonstrates a stack-based buffer overflow in Sudo versions prior to 1.8.26 when the pwfeedback option is enabled. The PoC triggers a segmentation fault by piping a large input to sudo, potentially allowing privilege escalation to root.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Sudo prior to 1.8.26
No auth needed
Prerequisites: pwfeedback enabled in sudoers file
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
github WORKING POC 690 stars
by lockedbyte · cpoc
https://github.com/lockedbyte/CVE-Exploits/tree/master/CVE-2019-18634

This repository contains a functional exploit for CVE-2019-18634, a buffer overflow in sudo's tgetpass.c when pwfeedback is enabled. The exploit leverages a pseudo-terminal to trigger the overflow, manipulate internal structures, and escalate privileges to root.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: sudo < 1.8.30
No auth needed
Prerequisites: sudo with pwfeedback enabled · access to a vulnerable system
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 27, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC 234 stars
by saleemrashid · poc
https://github.com/saleemrashid/sudo-cve-2019-18634

This repository contains a functional exploit for CVE-2019-18634, a buffer overflow vulnerability in sudo's pwfeedback feature. The exploit leverages a pseudo-terminal to trigger the overflow, overwrite critical structures, and escalate privileges to root by re-executing the exploit as the askpass program.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Complex
Reliability
Reliable
Target: sudo versions 1.8.25p1 to 1.8.30
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Access to a vulnerable sudo binary · Ability to execute the exploit on the target system
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 19, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC 58 stars
by Plazmaz · poc
https://github.com/Plazmaz/CVE-2019-18634

This repository contains a functional exploit for CVE-2019-18634, a heap buffer overflow in sudo <=1.8.30 when pwfeedback is enabled. The exploit leverages a crafted input to achieve local privilege escalation by manipulating memory structures and executing arbitrary code.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Complex
Reliability
Reliable
Target: sudo <=1.8.30
No auth needed
Prerequisites: sudo with pwfeedback enabled · socat installed
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 19, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC 5 stars
by aesophor · poc
https://github.com/aesophor/CVE-2019-18634

This repository contains a functional exploit for CVE-2019-18634, a buffer overflow vulnerability in sudo's pwfeedback feature. The exploit leverages a heap-based overflow to achieve local privilege escalation by manipulating memory structures and executing a reverse shell.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: sudo 1.8.25
Auth required
Prerequisites: sudo 1.8.25 with pwfeedback enabled · local access to the target system · Python3 and pwntools installed
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 19, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC 2 stars
by chanbakjsd · poc
https://github.com/chanbakjsd/CVE-2019-18634

This repository contains a functional exploit for CVE-2019-18634, a privilege escalation vulnerability in sudo when pwfeedback is enabled. The exploit leverages a buffer overflow to manipulate user details and escalate privileges to root.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: sudo version 1.8.25
Auth required
Prerequisites: sudo with pwfeedback enabled · access to a vulnerable system
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 19, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC 2 stars
by N1et · poc
https://github.com/N1et/CVE-2019-18634

This repository contains a functional exploit for CVE-2019-18634, a buffer overflow vulnerability in Sudo. The exploit leverages a heap-based buffer overflow in the `sudo` command to achieve local privilege escalation by manipulating the `SUDO_ASKPASS` environment variable and executing a crafted payload.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Sudo (versions 1.8.26 to 1.8.30)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Local access to the target system · Sudo version vulnerable to CVE-2019-18634
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 19, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC 1 stars
by dukptkey · poc
https://github.com/dukptkey/CVE-2019-18634

This exploit leverages CVE-2019-18634, a sudo vulnerability where improper handling of pseudo-terminals and environment variables allows local privilege escalation. The PoC manipulates sudo's tgetpass function to execute a shell with root privileges by crafting a specific payload and environment setup.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: sudo (versions affected by CVE-2019-18634)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Local access to the system · sudo installed and vulnerable to CVE-2019-18634
devstral-2 · analyzed May 30, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC 1 stars
by ptef · poc
https://github.com/ptef/CVE-2019-18634

This repository contains a functional exploit for CVE-2019-18634, a sudo vulnerability that allows local privilege escalation by manipulating the SUDO_ASKPASS environment variable and exploiting a buffer overflow in the pwfeedback feature. The exploit is tailored for Linux Mint 19.1 but may work on other distributions with adjustments.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: sudo (versions with pwfeedback enabled)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Local access to the target system · sudo with pwfeedback enabled
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 19, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WRITEUP
by CyrusRazavi · poc
https://github.com/CyrusRazavi/CVE-2019-18634-writeup

This repository provides a detailed technical analysis of CVE-2019-18634, a heap buffer overflow in Sudo's pwfeedback function. It includes steps to verify the vulnerability, exploit it using a known PoC, and explains the root cause involving static heap buffer overflow leading to segmentation faults.

Classification
Writeup 90%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Sudo < 1.8.26
Auth required
Prerequisites: Vulnerable version of Sudo (< 1.8.26) · pwfeedback enabled in sudoers file
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 19, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec STUB
by letsr00t · poc
https://github.com/letsr00t/-CVE-2019-18634-sudo-pwfeedback

The repository contains only a README.md file with minimal content, lacking any functional exploit code or technical details about CVE-2019-18634. It appears to be a placeholder without substantive information.

Classification
Stub 90%
Attack Type
Other
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Theoretical
Target: sudo (pwfeedback vulnerability)
No auth needed
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 19, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC
by ngyinkit · poc
https://github.com/ngyinkit/cve-2019-18634

This repository contains a functional exploit for CVE-2019-18634, a sudo vulnerability. The exploit leverages a buffer overflow in sudo's pwfeedback feature to achieve local privilege escalation by injecting a reverse shell payload.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: sudo (versions 1.8.2 to 1.8.30)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Local access to the target system · sudo installed and vulnerable version in use
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 19, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC
by l0w3 · poc
https://github.com/l0w3/CVE-2019-18634

This repository contains a functional exploit for CVE-2019-18634, a BSS-based buffer overflow in Sudo versions < 1.8.25 when pwfeedback is enabled. The exploit leverages a pseudo-terminal to trigger the vulnerability and achieve privilege escalation to root via a reverse shell.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Sudo < 1.8.25
No auth needed
Prerequisites: pwfeedback enabled in sudoers file · Sudo version < 1.8.25
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 19, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC
by DDayLuong · poc
https://github.com/DDayLuong/CVE-2019-18634

This repository contains a functional exploit for CVE-2019-18634, a local privilege escalation vulnerability in sudo. The exploit leverages a buffer overflow in the sudo command's handling of the SUDO_ASKPASS environment variable to achieve root privileges.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: sudo versions 1.8.25p through 1.8.31p2
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Local access to the target system · socat installed or available for download
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 19, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC
by TheJoyOfHacking · poc
https://github.com/TheJoyOfHacking/saleemrashid-sudo-cve-2019-18634

This repository contains a functional exploit for CVE-2019-18634, a buffer overflow vulnerability in sudo's pwfeedback feature. The exploit leverages a pseudo-terminal to trigger the overflow, overwrite critical structures, and escalate privileges to root.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Complex
Reliability
Reliable
Target: sudo versions 1.8.25p1 to 1.8.30
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Access to a vulnerable sudo binary · Ability to execute the exploit on the target system
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 19, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC
by paras1te-x · poc
https://github.com/paras1te-x/CVE-2019-18634

This repository contains a functional Python exploit for CVE-2019-18634, a sudo vulnerability affecting versions 1.8.25 and earlier. The exploit leverages a heap-based buffer overflow to achieve local privilege escalation by injecting a crafted payload via the SUDO_ASKPASS environment variable.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: sudo version 1.8.25 and earlier
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Local access to the target system · sudo version 1.8.25 or earlier
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 19, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC
by edsonjt81 · poc
https://github.com/edsonjt81/sudo-cve-2019-18634

This repository contains a functional exploit for CVE-2019-18634, a buffer overflow vulnerability in sudo's pwfeedback feature. The exploit leverages a pseudo-terminal to trigger the overflow, overwrite critical structures, and escalate privileges to root by re-executing the exploit as the askpass program.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Complex
Reliability
Reliable
Target: sudo versions 1.8.25p1 to 1.8.30
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Access to a vulnerable sudo binary · Ability to execute the exploit on the target system
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 19, 2026 Full analysis →

References (26)

Core 26
Core References
Third Party Advisory x_refsource_confirm
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT210919
Mailing List, Third Party Advisory mailing-list x_refsource_bugtraq
https://seclists.org/bugtraq/2020/Jan/44
Vendor Advisory x_refsource_misc
https://www.sudo.ws/security.html
Exploit, Vendor Advisory x_refsource_confirm
https://www.sudo.ws/alerts/pwfeedback.html
Mailing List, Third Party Advisory mailing-list x_refsource_mlist
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2020/01/30/6
Mailing List, Third Party Advisory mailing-list x_refsource_mlist
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2020/01/31/1
Mailing List, Third Party Advisory mailing-list x_refsource_fulldisc
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/Jan/40
Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_debian
https://www.debian.org/security/2020/dsa-4614
Mailing List, Third Party Advisory mailing-list x_refsource_mlist
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2020/02/msg00002.html
Mailing List, Third Party Advisory mailing-list x_refsource_bugtraq
https://seclists.org/bugtraq/2020/Feb/3
Mailing List, Third Party Advisory mailing-list x_refsource_bugtraq
https://seclists.org/bugtraq/2020/Feb/2
Third Party Advisory mailing-list x_refsource_mlist
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2020/02/05/2
Exploit, Third Party Advisory mailing-list x_refsource_mlist
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2020/02/05/5
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_ubuntu
https://usn.ubuntu.com/4263-1/
Vendor Advisory x_refsource_confirm
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20200210-0001/
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_ubuntu
https://usn.ubuntu.com/4263-2/
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_redhat
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0487
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_redhat
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0509
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_redhat
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0540
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_redhat
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0726
Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_gentoo
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202003-12

Scores

CVSS v3 7.8
EPSS 0.8801
EPSS Percentile 99.5%
Attack Vector LOCAL
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Details

CWE
CWE-787
Status published
Products (4)
debian/debian_linux 8.0
debian/debian_linux 9.0
debian/debian_linux 10.0
sudo_project/sudo 1.7.1 - 1.8.26
Published Jan 29, 2020
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026