CVE-2021-41617
openssh: privilege escalation when AuthorizedKeysCommand or AuthorizedPrincipalsCommand are configured
Severity
ModerateRed Hat Product Security
CVSS 3.1
Review impact separately from score.
Published · September 26, 2021
Updated · May 12, 2026
Description
A flaw was found in OpenSSH. Helper programs for AuthorizedKeysCommand and AuthorizedPrincipalsCommand may run with privileges associated with group memberships of the sshd process, if the configuration specifies running the command as a different user. Depending on system configuration, inherited groups may allow AuthorizedKeysCommand/AuthorizedPrincipalsCommand helper programs to gain unintended privileges, potentially leading to local privilege escalation.
Statement
Neither the AuthorizedKeysCommand directive nor AuthorizedPrincipalsCommand are enabled by default in the versions of OpenSSH as shipped with Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 and 8.
CVSS score applicability
The CVSS score(s) listed for this vulnerability do not reflect the associated product's status, and are included for informational purposes to better understand the severity of this vulnerability.
Mitigation
Mitigation for this issue is either not available or the currently available options do not meet the Red Hat Product Security criteria comprising ease of use and deployment, applicability to widespread installation base or stability.
CVSS / CWE
CVSS 3.1 · 7CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CWE-273 · Improper Check for Dropped Privileges