sudoers is the configuration file that defines sudo authorization rules on Unix-like systems, especially Linux. It tells the system which users or groups may run which commands, on which hosts, under what conditions, and whether extra checks such as password prompts, command restrictions, or time limits apply.
In cyber security, sudoers is a high-value policy file because it controls access to root-level privileges. Attackers often look for overly broad rules, weak command allowlists, or misconfigured special conditions that can be abused to gain unintended administrative access. Defenders review sudoers to enforce least privilege, remove unnecessary rights, and make sensitive rules explicit. Time-based entries are especially delicate: if a rule depends on dates or time windows, ambiguity in parsing, environment influence, or timezone handling can change when access is granted or denied.