CVE-2000-0151 in make
Summary
by MITRE
GNU make follows symlinks when it reads a Makefile from stdin, which allows other local users to execute commands.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/20/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2000-0151 represents a critical security flaw in GNU make version 3.79 and earlier, where the utility exhibits insecure behavior when processing Makefiles received through standard input streams. This issue stems from GNU make's improper handling of symbolic links during the reading process, creating an avenue for privilege escalation and unauthorized command execution by local attackers. The flaw specifically manifests when make is invoked with input from stdin, such as through shell redirection or pipe operations, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the symbolic link chain and execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges.
This vulnerability operates under the principle of insecure file handling and symlink traversal, which aligns with CWE-59 and CWE-22 categories that address improper handling of symbolic links and path traversal attacks. The technical mechanism involves GNU make following symbolic links in the filesystem when reading Makefiles from standard input without proper validation of the link targets. When a user provides a Makefile via stdin, the utility resolves symbolic links in the path, potentially allowing an attacker to create a symlink that points to a malicious script or binary. The attacker can then place this symlink in a location where make will process it, effectively executing commands as the user running make or with elevated privileges if the process runs with higher permissions.
The operational impact of CVE-2000-0151 extends beyond simple command execution, as it enables local privilege escalation scenarios where attackers can leverage the vulnerability to gain elevated system access. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where make is used with elevated privileges or where users have the ability to create symbolic links in accessible directories. The attack vector can be exploited through various means including shell scripts that invoke make with stdin input, build automation systems, or development environments where make is used regularly. The vulnerability essentially undermines the security model of the system by allowing unauthorized code execution through seemingly benign file processing operations, creating a persistent threat that can be exploited repeatedly.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of GNU make installations to versions 3.80 and later, which contain the necessary fixes to prevent symlink traversal during stdin input processing. System administrators should also implement proper file permissions and access controls to limit the ability of untrusted users to create symbolic links in directories where make might be executed. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that make processes run with minimal required permissions, and users should be restricted from creating symbolic links in sensitive directories. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security audits to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other build tools and utilities that might exhibit similar symlink traversal behaviors. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and secure file handling practices, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and script injection, and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation through insecure file operations.