# CVE-2023-40184: xrdp: xrdp is an open source remote desktop protocol (RDP) server

CVE-2023-40184 is fixed in 3 products on 1 platform, first by DEBIAN-CVE-2023-40184, released August 30, 2023. It is not reported as exploited. Patch Radar priority: Routine.

- Web page: https://patchblox.com/security/cve/CVE-2023-40184
- Priority: Routine
- CVSS: 6.5 (medium)
- EPSS: 0.0085
- CISA KEV: not listed
- Exploited (vendor report): no
- Publicly disclosed: no
- Published: Aug 30, 2023

## Description

xrdp is an open source remote desktop protocol (RDP) server. In versions prior to 0.9.23 improper handling of session establishment errors allows bypassing OS-level session restrictions. The `auth_start_session` function can return non-zero (1) value on, e.g., PAM error which may result in in session restrictions such as max concurrent sessions per user by PAM (ex ./etc/security/limits.conf) to be bypassed. Users (administrators) don't use restrictions by PAM are not affected. This issue has been addressed in release version 0.9.23. Users are advised to upgrade. There are no known workarounds for this issue.

## Where it's fixed

| Platform | Product | Fixed in | Fix | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | xorgxrdp Ubuntu 18.04.6 LTS (bionic) | 0.9.5-2ubuntu0.1~esm2 | [xorgxrdp 0.9.5-2ubuntu0.1~esm2](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/ubuntu-bionic-xorgxrdp-0.9.5-2ubuntu0.1-esm2.md) | Sep 27, 2023 |
| Linux | xrdp Debian 11.6 (bullseye) | 0.9.21.1-1~deb11u2 | [DLA-4166-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/dla-4166-1.md) | May 16, 2025 |
| Linux | xrdp Debian 12.15 (bookworm) | 0.9.21.1-1+deb12u1 | [DEBIAN-CVE-2023-40184](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/debian-cve-2023-40184.md) | Aug 30, 2023 |
| Linux | xrdp Debian 13.5 (trixie) | 0.9.24-2 | [DEBIAN-CVE-2023-40184](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/debian-cve-2023-40184.md) | Aug 30, 2023 |
| Linux | xrdp Debian 14 | 0.9.24-2 | [DEBIAN-CVE-2023-40184](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/debian-cve-2023-40184.md) | Aug 30, 2023 |
| Linux | xrdp Ubuntu 18.04.6 LTS (bionic) | 0.9.5-2ubuntu0.1~esm2 | [xrdp 0.9.5-2ubuntu0.1~esm2](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/ubuntu-bionic-xrdp-0.9.5-2ubuntu0.1-esm2.md) | Sep 27, 2023 |
| Linux | xrdp Ubuntu 20.04 LTS (focal) | 0.9.12-1ubuntu0.1+esm1 | [xrdp 0.9.12-1ubuntu0.1+esm1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/ubuntu-focal-xrdp-0.9.12-1ubuntu0.1-esm1.md) | Sep 27, 2023 |
| Linux | xrdp Ubuntu 22.04.1 LTS (jammy) | 0.9.17-2ubuntu2+esm1 | [xrdp 0.9.17-2ubuntu2+esm1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/ubuntu-jammy-xrdp-0.9.17-2ubuntu2-esm1.md) | Sep 27, 2023 |
| Linux | xrdp Ubuntu 24.04.5 LTS (noble) | 0.9.24-4ubuntu0.1~esm1 | [xrdp 0.9.24-4ubuntu0.1~esm1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/ubuntu-noble-xrdp-0.9.24-4ubuntu0.1-esm1.md) | Jan 27, 2026 |
| Linux | xrdp-pulseaudio-installer Ubuntu 18.04.6 LTS (bionic) | 0.9.5-2ubuntu0.1~esm2 | [xrdp-pulseaudio-installer 0.9.5-2ubuntu0.1~esm2](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/ubuntu-bionic-xrdp-pulseaudio-installer-0.9.5-2ubuntu0.1-esm2.md) | Sep 27, 2023 |

---

Data as of 2026-11-08T13:06:02Z UTC. Source: Patchblox Patch Radar (https://patchblox.com/security/patch-radar). Patchblox finds out-of-date software on Windows, macOS and Linux and updates it through release rings: https://patchblox.com/demo

Free to use with attribution: show "Data: Patchblox Patch Radar" with a link to https://patchblox.com/security/patch-radar. Terms, including what needs a written agreement: https://patchblox.com/security/patch-radar/use-the-data

Product names, logos and trademarks shown on Patch Radar belong to their respective owners. They are used only to identify the software each security fix applies to and to help readers find their platform. Their use does not imply any affiliation with, or endorsement by, those owners, and Patchblox is not affiliated with any of them.