Critical security flaws in GSS NTLMSSP (CVE-2023-25563 to CVE-2023-25567) may lead to DoS & memory corruption. Learn how to patch Ubuntu systems & secure enterprise networks with Ubuntu Pro’s 10-year coverage.
Publication Date: June 23, 2025
Overview
Multiple high-severity security vulnerabilities have been discovered in GSS NTLMSSP, a critical authentication mechanism used in enterprise environments.
These flaws could allow attackers to trigger denial-of-service (DoS) attacks, memory corruption, and unauthorized access. Immediate patching is recommended for all affected systems.
Detailed Vulnerability Analysis
1. Out-of-Bounds Read Vulnerabilities (CVE-2023-25563, CVE-2023-25567)
Discovered by: Phil Turnbull
Impact: Attackers could exploit improper NTLM field decoding to crash services, leading to system instability and service disruption.
Affected Systems: Ubuntu LTS versions (16.04 Xenial to 22.04 Jammy).
2. Improper Memory Initialization (CVE-2023-25564)
Risk: Uninitialized memory in UTF16 string parsing could allow out-of-bounds writes, potentially leading to remote code execution (RCE).
Mitigation: Apply the latest security patches immediately.
3. Memory Cleanup Failure (CVE-2023-25565)
Threat: Poor memory handling may cause assertion failures, crashing authentication services and disrupting enterprise workflows.
How to Update & Secure Your Systems
Patch Instructions
A standard system update will resolve these issues. Below are the latest secure versions for Ubuntu:
| Ubuntu Release | Package Version |
|---|---|
| 22.04 Jammy | gss-ntlmssp – 0.7.0-4ubuntu0.22.04.1~esm1 |
| 20.04 Focal | gss-ntlmssp – 0.7.0-4ubuntu0.20.04.1~esm1 |
| 18.04 Bionic | gss-ntlmssp – 0.7.0-4ubuntu0.18.04.1~esm1 |
| 16.04 Xenial | gss-ntlmssp – 0.7.0-3~ubuntu0.16.04.1+esm1 |
🔹 Pro Tip: Ensure automatic security updates are enabled to prevent zero-day exploits.
Extended Security with Ubuntu Pro
For enterprises requiring long-term protection, Ubuntu Pro offers:
✅ 10-year security coverage for 25,000+ packages
✅ Free for up to 5 machines
✅ Enhanced vulnerability patching
Why This Update Matters for Enterprises
Prevents costly downtime from DoS attacks.
Reduces attack surface in corporate networks.
Ensures compliance with security best practices.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is this vulnerability actively being exploited?
A: No confirmed exploits yet, but patching immediately is critical to prevent future attacks.
Q: Does this affect Windows systems?
A: No, GSS NTLMSSP is primarily used in Linux/Unix environments.
Q: Can I mitigate this without updating?
A: No—applying the official patches is the only secure solution.
Conclusion & Next Steps
These GSS NTLMSSP vulnerabilities pose serious risks to enterprise security. To protect your systems:
Apply updates immediately.
Enable Ubuntu Pro for extended security.
Monitor authentication logs for unusual activity.
🔒 Stay secure, stay patched!

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