CVE-2000-0617 in xconq
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in xconq and cconq game programs on Red Hat Linux allows local users to gain additional privileges via long USER environmental variable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2000-0617 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw affecting the xconq and cconq game programs distributed with Red Hat Linux systems. This issue stems from inadequate input validation within the game applications that process the USER environmental variable, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by local attackers to escalate privileges. The vulnerability specifically affects systems running these particular game programs where the USER environment variable is not properly sanitized before being processed, allowing an attacker to craft malicious input that exceeds the allocated buffer space.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs when the xconq and cconq applications handle the USER environment variable without proper bounds checking or input length validation. When a local user sets an excessively long USER variable, the program's buffer allocation mechanism fails to handle the overflow condition gracefully, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 buffer overflow category, specifically classified as a stack-based buffer overflow that can be exploited through environment variable manipulation. The flaw demonstrates a classic lack of proper input sanitization and memory management practices that are fundamental to secure software development.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to Red Hat Linux systems as it allows local users to gain additional privileges without requiring remote access or complex exploitation techniques. The attack vector is relatively simple since any local user can manipulate the USER environment variable to trigger the overflow condition, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where privilege escalation could lead to complete system compromise. The impact extends beyond just local privilege escalation, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to gain root access, modify system files, install backdoors, or establish persistent access to the compromised system. This vulnerability directly relates to the ATT&CK technique T1068 for privilege escalation and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2000-0617 should include immediate patching of the affected xconq and cconq packages through Red Hat's official security updates, as well as implementing proper environment variable validation in system configurations. System administrators should consider disabling or restricting the use of these specific game programs if they are not essential to system operations. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and bounds checking in application code, along with regular security audits of system components, can prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege, ensuring that applications do not execute with unnecessary elevated permissions. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect unusual environment variable manipulation patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts.