Public bug reported: When the hostname is set incorrectly (to a name which cannot be resolved to an IP address), sudo sends a "security information" email to root, which contains gibberish characters. Here are two real-world examples of the contents of such emails:
test : jul 1 00:05:19 : admin : ‹Ç and: vps8823.xlshosting.net : jun 28 00:20:19 : admin : Øn“º Please let me know how I can help debug this problem! ProblemType: Bug DistroRelease: Ubuntu 10.04 Package: sudo 1.7.2p1-1ubuntu5.3 Uname: Linux 2.6.32.27xls-domU x86_64 Architecture: amd64 Date: Fri Jul 1 00:05:59 2011 InstallationMedia: Ubuntu-Server 10.04 LTS "Lucid Lynx" - Release amd64 (20100427) SourcePackage: sudo VisudoCheck: /etc/sudoers: parsed OK ** Affects: sudo (Ubuntu) Importance: Undecided Status: New ** Tags: amd64 apport-bug lucid -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Bugs, which is subscribed to Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/804108 Title: sudo sends security email with gibberish characters when it cannot resolve the hostname To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/sudo/+bug/804108/+subscriptions -- ubuntu-bugs mailing list ubuntu-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bugs