CVE-2023-29383

LOW

Shadow 4.13 - Info Disclosure

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Description

In Shadow 4.13, it is possible to inject control characters into fields provided to the SUID program chfn (change finger). Although it is not possible to exploit this directly (e.g., adding a new user fails because \n is in the block list), it is possible to misrepresent the /etc/passwd file when viewed. Use of \r manipulations and Unicode characters to work around blocking of the : character make it possible to give the impression that a new user has been added. In other words, an adversary may be able to convince a system administrator to take the system offline (an indirect, social-engineered denial of service) by demonstrating that "cat /etc/passwd" shows a rogue user account.

Scores

CVSS v3 3.3
EPSS 0.0005
EPSS Percentile 15.9%
Attack Vector LOCAL
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N

CISA SSVC

Vulnrichment
Exploitation poc
Automatable no
Technical Impact partial

Details

CWE
CWE-125 CWE-74
Status published
Products (1)
shadow_project/shadow 4.13
Published Apr 14, 2023
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026