CVE-2001-0066 in Secure Locate
Summary
by MITRE
Secure Locate (slocate) allows local users to corrupt memory via a malformed database file that specifies an offset value that accesses memory outside of the intended buffer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0066 affects the Secure Locate (slocate) utility, a file indexing and searching tool commonly used in Unix-like operating systems. This flaw represents a classic buffer overflow condition that occurs when the application processes malformed database files without proper input validation. The slocate utility maintains a database of file locations and permissions, which is typically updated regularly to ensure accurate search results. When a local user crafts a specially constructed database file with an invalid offset value, the application fails to properly bounds-check memory accesses, leading to unauthorized memory corruption.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the slocate parsing routines. When processing database files, the application calculates memory offsets based on data provided in the file structure without verifying that these offsets remain within the allocated buffer boundaries. This creates a condition where an attacker can specify an offset value that points outside the intended memory region, causing the program to read or write data beyond the allocated buffer space. The flaw manifests as a classic stack-based buffer overflow, where the corrupted memory can overwrite adjacent program variables, function return addresses, or other critical data structures.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to systems running slocate, particularly in multi-user environments where local users may have access to modify or create database files. The local privilege escalation potential arises because the vulnerability does not require network access or special privileges beyond those normally available to a local user. Attackers can exploit this condition to potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the slocate process, which typically runs with elevated permissions to access file metadata across the system. The impact extends beyond simple memory corruption, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain persistent access to the system or escalate privileges to root level.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and bounds checking in security-critical applications. From an attacker's methodology standpoint, this vulnerability fits within the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique of privilege escalation through local exploitation. The attack vector requires local access and involves crafting malicious input that bypasses normal validation mechanisms. System administrators should implement strict file access controls and regularly audit slocate database files to prevent unauthorized modifications. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the need for proper memory management practices in legacy applications and emphasizes the importance of regular security updates. Mitigation strategies include applying vendor patches immediately, implementing file integrity monitoring for slocate database files, and considering alternative file indexing solutions that have undergone more rigorous security testing. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of how seemingly simple applications can contain critical security flaws that can be exploited by local attackers to compromise entire systems.