CVE-2001-0087 in itetris
Summary
by MITRE
itetris/xitetris 1.6.2 and earlier trusts the PATH environmental variable to find and execute the gunzip program, which allows local users to gain root privileges by changing their PATH so that it points to a malicious gunzip program.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/18/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-0087 represents a classic privilege escalation flaw that exploits the trust placed in environmental variables within the itetris and xitetris software packages. This vulnerability affects versions 1.6.2 and earlier, where the applications fail to properly validate or sanitize the PATH environment variable when executing system commands. The flaw specifically targets the gunzip program execution mechanism, which is commonly used for decompressing files within these applications. When the software attempts to execute gunzip, it relies on the PATH variable to locate the executable, creating an opportunity for malicious exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper command execution practices that violate fundamental security principles of least privilege and input validation. The PATH environment variable is a critical system component that determines the order in which executable files are searched during command execution. When applications trust the PATH variable without proper validation, they become susceptible to path manipulation attacks where adversaries can inject malicious executables into the search path. This particular vulnerability falls under the CWE-78 category known as "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in OS Command" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation." The flaw demonstrates how applications that rely on external commands without proper sanitization create attack vectors for local privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows local users to escalate their privileges from regular user level to root access without requiring authentication or specialized knowledge beyond basic system manipulation. Attackers can exploit this by simply modifying their PATH environment variable to include a directory containing a malicious gunzip binary before the system directories. This malicious binary can then be designed to execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges, effectively bypassing the application's intended security controls. The attack requires minimal sophistication and can be automated, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users have local access to systems running vulnerable versions of itetris or xitetris.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate security flaw and broader system hardening practices. The primary fix involves modifying the vulnerable applications to explicitly specify full paths to system executables rather than relying on the PATH environment variable for command execution. This approach aligns with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Secure Coding Guidelines and follows the principle of explicit path resolution. System administrators should also implement proper file permissions and access controls, ensuring that only authorized users can modify critical system directories. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security updates and patch management, as this issue was resolved in later versions of the affected software. Organizations should conduct vulnerability assessments to identify other applications that may exhibit similar PATH-based trust issues and implement comprehensive monitoring to detect unauthorized PATH modifications. The remediation process should include validating that applications properly handle command execution and that system integrity checks are in place to prevent malicious PATH manipulation attacks.