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CVE-2023-29383

In Shadow 4.13, it is possible to inject control characters into fields provided to the SUID...

3.3 LowFix available

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.

Attack profile

How easy it is to exploit

Attack vector
Local
Complexity
Low
Privileges needed
Low
User interaction
None

What an attacker can affect

Confidentiality
None
Integrity
Low
Availability
None

Exploit likelihood

0.43%Up 0.4 points since Apr 15, 2023
90%50%10%1%

What each source reports

NVD Score used 3.3

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.

Record
CVE-2023-29383
CVSS 3.1
3.3 LowCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N
Weakness
CWE-74, CWE-125
Updated
2026-11-02
CVE List No score

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.

Record
CVE-2023-29383
Weakness
CWE-125
Updated
2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2023-32955 No score

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.

Record
EUVD-2023-32955
Updated
2026-11-02
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-p9w4-8hh8-crcx 3.3

In Shadow 4.13, it is possible to inject control characters into fields provided to the SUID...

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.

Record
GHSA-p9w4-8hh8-crcx
CVSS 3.1
3.3 LowCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N
Weakness
CWE-74, CWE-125
Updated
2026-11-02
OSVALPINE-CVE-2023-29383 3.3

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.

Record
ALPINE-CVE-2023-29383
CVSS 3.1
3.3 LowCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N
Updated
2026-11-03
OSVAZL-26247 3.3

CVE-2023-29383 affecting package shadow-utils for versions less than 4.9-13

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.

Record
AZL-26247
CVSS 3.1
3.3 LowCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N
Updated
2026-11-02
Show 15 moreShow less
OSVBELL-CVE-2023-29383 3.3
Record
BELL-CVE-2023-29383
CVSS 3.1
3.3 LowCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N
Updated
2026-11-02
OSVDEBIAN-CVE-2023-29383 3.3

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.

Record
DEBIAN-CVE-2023-29383
CVSS 3.1
3.3 LowCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N
Updated
2026-11-02
OSVOESA-2023-1258 3.3

shadow security update

This package includes the necessary programs for converting plain password files to the shadow password format and to manage user and group accounts.

Security Fix(es):

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.(CVE-2023-29383)

Record
OESA-2023-1258
CVSS 3.1
3.3 LowCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N
Updated
2026-11-02
OSVROOT-OS-UBUNTU-2204-CVE-2023-29383 3.3

CVE-2023-29383 in rootio-shadow - Patched by Root

Root has patched CVE-2023-29383 in the rootio-shadow package for Root:Ubuntu:22.04. Multiple fixed versions available.

Record
ROOT-OS-UBUNTU-2204-CVE-2023-29383
CVSS 3.1
3.3 LowCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N
Updated
2026-11-02
OSVUBUNTU-CVE-2023-29383 3.3

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.

Record
UBUNTU-CVE-2023-29383
CVSS 3.1
3.3 LowCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N
Updated
2026-11-02
OSV No score

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.

Record
CVE-2023-29383
Updated
2026-11-02
OSVopenSUSE-SU-2024:12881-1 No score

libsubid-devel-4.13-6.1 on GA media

These are all security issues fixed in the libsubid-devel-4.13-6.1 package on the GA media of openSUSE Tumbleweed.

Record
openSUSE-SU-2024:12881-1
Updated
2026-11-02
OSVSUSE-SU-2023:2066-1 No score

Security update for shadow

This update for shadow fixes the following issues:

  • CVE-2023-29383: Fixed apparent /etc/shadow manipulation via chfn (bsc#1210507).
Record
SUSE-SU-2023:2066-1
Updated
2026-11-02
OSVSUSE-SU-2023:2067-1 No score

Security update for shadow

This update for shadow fixes the following issues:

  • CVE-2023-29383: Fixed apparent /etc/shadow manipulation via chfn (bsc#1210507).
Record
SUSE-SU-2023:2067-1
Updated
2026-11-02
OSVSUSE-SU-2023:2068-1 No score

Security update for shadow

This update for shadow fixes the following issues:

  • CVE-2023-29383: Fixed apparent /etc/shadow manipulation via chfn (bsc#1210507).
Record
SUSE-SU-2023:2068-1
Updated
2026-11-02
OSVSUSE-SU-2023:2069-1 No score

Security update for shadow

This update for shadow fixes the following issues:

  • CVE-2023-29383: Fixed apparent /etc/shadow manipulation via chfn (bsc#1210507).
Record
SUSE-SU-2023:2069-1
Updated
2026-11-02
OSVSUSE-SU-2023:2070-1 No score

Security update for shadow

This update for shadow fixes the following issues:

  • CVE-2023-29383: Fixed apparent /etc/shadow manipulation via chfn (bsc#1210507).
Record
SUSE-SU-2023:2070-1
Updated
2026-11-02
OSVSUSE-SU-2024:0939-1 No score

Security update for shadow

This update for shadow fixes the following issues:

  • CVE-2023-29383: Fixed apparent /etc/shadow manipulation via chfn (bsc#1210507).

The following non-security bugs were fixed:

  • bsc#1176006: Fix chage date miscalculation
  • bsc#1188307: Fix passwd segfault
  • bsc#1203823: Remove pam_keyinit from PAM config files
  • bsc#1213189: Change lock mechanism to file locking to prevent lock files after power interruptions
  • bsc#1206627: Add --prefix support to passwd, chpasswd and chage
  • bsc#1205502: useradd audit event user id field cannot be interpretedd
Record
SUSE-SU-2024:0939-1
Updated
2026-11-02
OSVSUSE-SU-2024:1007-1 No score

Security update for shadow

This update for shadow fixes the following issues:

  • CVE-2023-29383: Fixed apparent /etc/shadow manipulation via chfn (bsc#1210507).
  • CVE-2023-4641: Fixed possible password leak during passwd(1) change (bsc#1214806).

The following non-security bugs were fixed:

  • bsc#1176006: Fix chage date miscalculation
  • bsc#1188307: Fix passwd segfault
  • bsc#1203823: Remove pam_keyinit from PAM config files
  • bsc#1213189: Change lock mechanism to file locking to prevent lock files after power interruptions
  • bsc#1206627: Add --prefix support to passwd, chpasswd and chage
  • bsc#1205502: useradd audit event user id field cannot be interpretedd
Record
SUSE-SU-2024:1007-1
Updated
2026-11-02
OSVSUSE-SU-2024:1007-2 No score

Security update for shadow

This update for shadow fixes the following issues:

  • CVE-2023-29383: Fixed apparent /etc/shadow manipulation via chfn (bsc#1210507).
  • CVE-2023-4641: Fixed possible password leak during passwd(1) change (bsc#1214806).

The following non-security bugs were fixed:

  • bsc#1176006: Fix chage date miscalculation
  • bsc#1188307: Fix passwd segfault
  • bsc#1203823: Remove pam_keyinit from PAM config files
  • bsc#1213189: Change lock mechanism to file locking to prevent lock files after power interruptions
  • bsc#1206627: Add --prefix support to passwd, chpasswd and chage
  • bsc#1205502: useradd audit event user id field cannot be interpretedd
Record
SUSE-SU-2024:1007-2
Updated
2026-11-02

Affected products

Show 3 moreShow less

Affected packages

Affected packages
PackageAffectedFixed
shadow
Alpine:v3.18
 before 4.13-r3
4.13-r3
shadow
Alpine:v3.19
 before 4.13-r4
4.13-r4
shadow
Alpine:v3.20
 before 4.13-r4
4.13-r4
shadow
Alpine:v3.21
 before 4.13-r4
4.13-r4
shadow
Alpine:v3.22
 before 4.13-r4
4.13-r4
shadow
Alpine:v3.23
 before 4.13-r4
4.13-r4
shadow
Alpine:v3.24
 before 4.13-r4
4.13-r4
shadow-utils
Azure Linux:2
 before 4.9-13
4.9-13
shadow
Alpaquita:23
 4.13-r0 up to 4.13-r1
4.13-r1
shadow
Debian:12
 before 1:4.13+dfsg1-1+deb12u1, plus listed versions
1:4.13+dfsg1-1
1:4.13+dfsg1-1+deb12u1
Show 46 moreShow less
Affected packages
PackageAffectedFixed
shadow
Debian:13
 before 1:4.13+dfsg1-2
1:4.13+dfsg1-2
shadow
Debian:14
 before 1:4.13+dfsg1-2
1:4.13+dfsg1-2
shadow
Debian:11
From an advisory covering 2 CVEs
 before 1:4.8.1-1+deb11u1, plus listed versions
1:4.8.1-1
1:4.8.1-1+deb11u1
shadow
openEuler:20.03-LTS-SP1
 before 4.8.1-7.oe1
4.8.1-7.oe1
shadow
openEuler:20.03-LTS-SP3
 before 4.8.1-6.oe1
4.8.1-6.oe1
shadow
openEuler:22.03-LTS
 before 4.9-9.oe2203sp1
4.9-9.oe2203sp1
shadow
openEuler:22.03-LTS-SP1
 before 4.9-9.oe2203sp1
4.9-9.oe2203sp1
rootio-shadow
Root:Ubuntu:22.04
 before 1:4.8.1-2ubuntu2.2.root.io.4
1:4.8.1-2ubuntu2.2.root.io.41:4.8.1-2ubuntu2.2.root.io.21:4.8.1-2ubuntu2.2.root.io.31:4.8.1-2ubuntu2.2.aikido.5
shadow
SUSE:Linux Enterprise Micro 5.3
 before 4.8.1-150400.10.6.1
4.8.1-150400.10.6.1
shadow
SUSE:Linux Enterprise Module for Basesystem 15 SP4
 before 4.8.1-150400.10.6.1
4.8.1-150400.10.6.1
shadow
openSUSE:Leap Micro 5.3
 before 4.8.1-150400.10.6.1
4.8.1-150400.10.6.1
shadow
openSUSE:Leap 15.4
 before 4.8.1-150400.10.6.1
4.8.1-150400.10.6.1
shadow
SUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 12 SP5
 before 4.2.1-36.3.1
4.2.1-36.3.1
shadow
SUSE:Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 12 SP5
 before 4.2.1-36.3.1
4.2.1-36.3.1
shadow
SUSE:Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP1-LTSS
 before 4.6-150100.3.8.1
4.6-150100.3.8.1
shadow
SUSE:Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP2-LTSS
 before 4.6-150100.3.8.1
4.6-150100.3.8.1
shadow
SUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP1-LTSS
 before 4.6-150100.3.8.1
4.6-150100.3.8.1
shadow
SUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP2-LTSS
 before 4.6-150100.3.8.1
4.6-150100.3.8.1
shadow
SUSE:Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 15 SP1
 before 4.6-150100.3.8.1
4.6-150100.3.8.1
shadow
SUSE:Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 15 SP2
 before 4.6-150100.3.8.1
4.6-150100.3.8.1
shadow
SUSE:Enterprise Storage 7
 before 4.6-150100.3.8.1
4.6-150100.3.8.1
shadow
SUSE:OpenStack Cloud 9
 before 4.2.1-27.22.1
4.2.1-27.22.1
shadow
SUSE:OpenStack Cloud Crowbar 9
 before 4.2.1-27.22.1
4.2.1-27.22.1
shadow
SUSE:Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 12 SP4
 before 4.2.1-27.22.1
4.2.1-27.22.1
shadow
SUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 12 SP2-BCL
 before 4.2.1-27.22.1
4.2.1-27.22.1
shadow
SUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 12 SP4-ESPOS
 before 4.2.1-27.22.1
4.2.1-27.22.1
shadow
SUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 12 SP4-LTSS
 before 4.2.1-27.22.1
4.2.1-27.22.1
shadow
SUSE:Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP3-ESPOS
 before 4.8.1-150300.4.6.1
4.8.1-150300.4.6.1
shadow
SUSE:Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP3-LTSS
 before 4.8.1-150300.4.6.1
4.8.1-150300.4.6.1
shadow
SUSE:Linux Enterprise Real Time 15 SP3
 before 4.8.1-150300.4.6.1
4.8.1-150300.4.6.1
shadow
SUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP3-LTSS
 before 4.8.1-150300.4.6.1
4.8.1-150300.4.6.1
shadow
SUSE:Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 15 SP3
 before 4.8.1-150300.4.6.1
4.8.1-150300.4.6.1
shadow
SUSE:Manager Proxy 4.2
 before 4.8.1-150300.4.6.1
4.8.1-150300.4.6.1
shadow
SUSE:Manager Server 4.2
 before 4.8.1-150300.4.6.1
4.8.1-150300.4.6.1
shadow
SUSE:Linux Enterprise Micro 5.1
 before 4.8.1-150300.4.6.1
4.8.1-150300.4.6.1
shadow
SUSE:Linux Enterprise Micro 5.2
 before 4.8.1-150300.4.6.1
4.8.1-150300.4.6.1
shadow
SUSE:Enterprise Storage 7.1
 before 4.8.1-150300.4.6.1
4.8.1-150300.4.6.1
shadow
SUSE:Linux Enterprise Micro 5.4
 before 4.8.1-150400.3.6.1
4.8.1-150400.3.6.1
shadow
openSUSE:Leap Micro 5.4
 before 4.8.1-150400.3.6.1
4.8.1-150400.3.6.1
shadow
SUSE:Linux Enterprise Micro 5.5
From an advisory covering 2 CVEs
 before 4.8.1-150500.3.3.1
4.8.1-150500.3.3.1
shadow
Ubuntu:Pro:14.04:LTS
 All versions, plus listed versions
1:4.1.5.1-1ubuntu61:4.1.5.1-1ubuntu71:4.1.5.1-1ubuntu81:4.1.5.1-1ubuntu91:4.1.5.1-1ubuntu9.1
Show 7 moreShow less
1:4.1.5.1-1ubuntu9.21:4.1.5.1-1ubuntu9.41:4.1.5.1-1ubuntu9.51:4.1.5.1-1ubuntu9.5+esm11:4.1.5.1-1ubuntu9.5+esm21:4.1.5.1-1ubuntu9.5+esm31:4.1.5.1-1ubuntu9.5+esm4
 None known
shadow
Ubuntu:Pro:16.04:LTS
 All versions, plus listed versions
1:4.1.5.1-1.1ubuntu71:4.2-3.1ubuntu11:4.2-3.1ubuntu21:4.2-3.1ubuntu31:4.2-3.1ubuntu4
Show 8 moreShow less
1:4.2-3.1ubuntu51:4.2-3.1ubuntu5.21:4.2-3.1ubuntu5.31:4.2-3.1ubuntu5.41:4.2-3.1ubuntu5.5+esm11:4.2-3.1ubuntu5.5+esm21:4.2-3.1ubuntu5.5+esm31:4.2-3.1ubuntu5.5+esm4
 None known
shadow
Ubuntu:Pro:18.04:LTS
 All versions, plus listed versions
1:4.2-3.2ubuntu41:4.5-1ubuntu11:4.5-1ubuntu21:4.5-1ubuntu2.21:4.5-1ubuntu2.31:4.5-1ubuntu2.41:4.5-1ubuntu2.51:4.5-1ubuntu2.5+esm1
 None known
shadow
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS
 All versions, plus listed versions
1:4.5-1.1ubuntu41:4.8-1ubuntu11:4.8.1-1ubuntu11:4.8.1-1ubuntu21:4.8.1-1ubuntu3
Show 8 moreShow less
1:4.8.1-1ubuntu41:4.8.1-1ubuntu51:4.8.1-1ubuntu5.20.041:4.8.1-1ubuntu5.20.04.11:4.8.1-1ubuntu5.20.04.21:4.8.1-1ubuntu5.20.04.31:4.8.1-1ubuntu5.20.04.41:4.8.1-1ubuntu5.20.04.5
 None known
shadow
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS
 All versions, plus listed versions
1:4.8.1-1ubuntu91:4.8.1-1ubuntu101:4.8.1-2ubuntu11:4.8.1-2ubuntu21:4.8.1-2ubuntu2.11:4.8.1-2ubuntu2.2
 None known
shadow
openSUSE:Tumbleweed
 before 4.13-6.1
4.13-6.1

History

History
RecordedChangedSources
affected, facts
affected, aliases, referencesOSV
first indexedCVE List, EUVD, GitHub Advisories, NVD, OSV

Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.

In short

CVE-2023-29383 is a low vulnerability (CVSS 3.3) in Shadow Project Shadow, published April 14, 2023. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 0.43%, the 37th percentile. Fixed in shadow 4.13-r3.

References

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