CVE-2022-43995 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Sudo versions 1.8.0 through 1.9.12 that use the crypt() password backend. The vulnerability arises from an array-out-of-bounds error in the plugins/sudoers/auth/passwd.c source file, specifically leading to a heap-based buffer over-read. This flaw can be triggered by any local user who has access to Sudo by entering a password of seven characters or fewer. The vulnerability exploits improper bounds checking when handling password input, causing the program to read beyond the allocated buffer on the heap. The actual impact of this over-read depends on the system's libraries, compiler, and processor architecture, which influence how memory is managed and accessed. The vulnerability does not require user interaction beyond password entry and requires only low privileges (local user with Sudo access). The CVSS v3.1 score is 7.1 (high), reflecting the potential for confidentiality loss and availability impact, but no integrity impact. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-125 (Out-of-bounds Read). No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no official patches or vendor advisories are linked in the provided data. The flaw could potentially allow attackers to read sensitive memory contents, leading to information disclosure or cause denial of service due to application crashes or instability.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk especially in environments where Sudo is widely used with the crypt() backend for authentication. Since Sudo is a critical utility for privilege escalation and administrative tasks on Unix-like systems, exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information residing in memory, such as passwords or cryptographic keys. The heap-based buffer over-read could also cause system instability or crashes, impacting availability of critical services. Organizations with strict compliance requirements around data confidentiality (e.g., GDPR) could face regulatory and reputational damage if sensitive data is leaked. The vulnerability requires local access with Sudo privileges, so insider threats or compromised user accounts could be leveraged to exploit this flaw. Given the widespread use of Sudo in European enterprises, government agencies, and critical infrastructure, the potential impact is considerable. However, the lack of known exploits in the wild and the requirement for local access somewhat limit the immediate risk to remote attackers.

European organizations should first identify all systems running vulnerable versions of Sudo (1.8.0 through 1.9.12) using the crypt() password backend. Since no patch links are provided, organizations should monitor official Sudo project channels and Linux distribution security advisories for patches or updates addressing CVE-2022-43995. In the interim, organizations can mitigate risk by restricting local user access to Sudo, enforcing strong password policies (passwords longer than seven characters), and auditing Sudo usage logs for suspicious activity. Additionally, consider recompiling Sudo with alternative password backends if feasible. Employing runtime memory protection mechanisms such as Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) and stack canaries can reduce exploitation success. Regularly updating system libraries and compilers may also mitigate the impact due to differences in memory management. Finally, implement strict access controls and monitoring to detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts promptly.