CVE-2023-40303

Name: CVE-2023-40303
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2023-08-14T05:15:10.233+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.8/10EPSS 0.39%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2023-40303 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.8/10 on the CVSS scale. GNU inetutils before 2.5 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.. EPSS estimates a 0.39% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

GNU inetutils before 2.5 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.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.8/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

0.39%

30.8th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-252

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Gnu	Inetutils	<= 2.4

References

Timeline

Published: Aug 14, 2023
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2023-40303?

How severe is CVE-2023-40303?

CVE-2023-40303 has a CVSS score of 7.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.39% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2023-40303?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2023-40303?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

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Source: NVD / NIST