CVE-2000-0918 in kvt
Summary
by MITRE
Format string vulnerability in kvt in KDE 1.1.2 may allow local users to execute arbitrary commands via a DISPLAY environmental variable that contains formatting characters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/28/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2000-0918 represents a critical format string flaw within the kvt terminal emulator component of KDE version 1.1.2. This issue resides in the handling of the DISPLAY environment variable, which is fundamental to X Window System operations and typically used to specify the display server where graphical applications should render their output. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization of environment variables, creating a pathway for malicious code execution through carefully crafted formatting sequences.
This format string vulnerability operates by exploiting the way the kvt application processes the DISPLAY variable during program initialization. When the application encounters a malformed DISPLAY value containing format specifiers such as %s, %d, or other printf-style formatting characters, it fails to properly escape or validate these inputs before passing them to formatting functions. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate memory layout and potentially inject malicious code by controlling the format string parsing behavior. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it occurs during application startup when environment variables are processed, making it accessible to local users who can manipulate their execution environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it enables local users to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the kvt process. This could potentially allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to system resources, escalate privileges, or compromise the entire desktop environment. The vulnerability affects systems running KDE 1.1.2 where kvt is installed and executed, representing a significant risk to desktop security in Unix-like operating systems. Attackers could leverage this flaw to execute malicious payloads, access sensitive data, or establish persistent access to affected systems. The issue is particularly concerning in multi-user environments where local users might attempt to exploit the vulnerability to gain unauthorized system access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2000-0918 should focus on immediate patching of the KDE 1.1.2 installation to the latest available version that addresses this specific format string vulnerability. System administrators should implement proper environment variable sanitization practices and consider restricting the ability of local users to manipulate critical environment variables. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-134 which specifically addresses format string vulnerabilities, and it maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter execution. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime monitoring solutions to detect anomalous behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while maintaining comprehensive system logging to track environment variable modifications and application execution. The recommended remediation includes upgrading to patched KDE versions and implementing proper input validation mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other applications that process environment variables.