CVE-2000-0035 in Majordomo
Summary
by MITRE
resend command in Majordomo allows local users to gain privileges via shell metacharacters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2000-0035 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the Majordomo mailing list manager software, which has been classified under CWE-78 as a failure to properly sanitize shell metacharacters. This vulnerability specifically affects the resend command functionality within the Majordomo system, creating a pathway for local users to execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter special characters that have significance in shell command execution contexts.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a local user crafts a malicious input containing shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks within the resend command parameters. When Majordomo processes this input without proper sanitization, these metacharacters are interpreted by the underlying shell, allowing the attacker to inject and execute arbitrary commands. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of command injection attacks and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and script interpreters. The privilege escalation aspect is particularly concerning as it allows local users to bypass normal access controls and potentially gain root or administrative privileges depending on how Majordomo is configured and executed within the system environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2000-0035 extends beyond simple command execution, as it can enable attackers to manipulate mailing list configurations, access sensitive email communications, and potentially establish persistent access to the system. The vulnerability's local nature means that exploitation requires physical or network access to the system, but once achieved, it provides a significant foothold for further attacks. The affected environment typically includes systems running older versions of Majordomo where proper input validation has not been implemented or updated. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization in applications that interface with system-level commands and represents a classic example of how insufficient security controls can lead to privilege escalation. Organizations using Majordomo or similar mailing list management systems should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, privilege separation, and regular security updates to prevent exploitation of this and similar vulnerabilities.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability involves multiple layers of defense including immediate patching of the Majordomo software to implement proper input sanitization and shell metacharacter escaping. System administrators should also consider implementing privilege separation mechanisms where the mailing list manager runs with minimal required privileges rather than elevated system access. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit local system access and reduce the attack surface. Organizations should conduct regular security assessments of their mailing list infrastructure and ensure that all system components are kept up to date with the latest security patches. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in preventing command injection attacks.