CVE-2000-0595 in FreeBSD
Summary
by MITRE
libedit searches for the .editrc file in the current directory instead of the user s home directory, which may allow local users to execute arbitrary commands by installing a modified .editrc in another directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/13/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2000-0595 affects the libedit library, a widely used command-line editing library that provides readline functionality for various applications including shells and interactive programs. This flaw represents a classic path traversal and privilege escalation issue that exploits the library's incorrect handling of configuration file locations. The vulnerability stems from the library's improper security model where it searches for the .editrc configuration file in the current working directory rather than in the user's home directory, creating a dangerous execution context.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when applications using libedit attempt to load user configuration settings from .editrc files. When a user runs a program that utilizes libedit and the program is executed from a directory containing a maliciously crafted .editrc file, the library will load this file instead of the legitimate user configuration. This behavior allows local attackers to place a specially crafted .editrc file in any directory from which they can execute the vulnerable program, effectively enabling arbitrary code execution within the context of the target user's privileges. The flaw essentially creates a race condition and path manipulation vulnerability where the application's configuration loading mechanism becomes a vector for privilege escalation.
The operational impact of CVE-2000-0595 is significant for systems running vulnerable applications, particularly those that are frequently executed from various directories or shared environments. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability in scenarios such as shared workstations, when executing programs from temporary directories, or when dealing with applications that do not properly sandbox their execution contexts. The vulnerability affects any application that uses the libedit library for command-line editing functionality, which includes numerous shells, database clients, and interactive utilities. This makes the attack surface quite broad and potentially dangerous in multi-user environments where attackers can manipulate file locations to execute malicious code.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability primarily involve ensuring that applications using libedit properly validate and restrict the configuration file search paths, enforcing that .editrc files are only loaded from the user's home directory or other trusted locations. System administrators should consider updating to patched versions of affected applications, as the vulnerability is fundamentally a design flaw in how the library handles file resolution. The implementation of proper file permissions and directory security controls can also help mitigate exploitation attempts, particularly by ensuring that users cannot place malicious configuration files in directories where vulnerable applications might be executed. Additionally, organizations should implement monitoring for unusual .editrc file creation or modification patterns in system directories, as this vulnerability can be used to establish persistent access through crafted configuration files that execute commands upon program startup.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-78 Command Injection categories, representing a fundamental flaw in input validation and file access controls. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, it maps to privilege escalation techniques and persistence mechanisms, as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute code with elevated privileges and maintain access to systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper secure coding practices and the dangers of improper file path resolution in security-critical libraries that handle user input or configuration data.