CVE-2001-0111 in Splitvt
Summary
by MITRE
Format string vulnerability in splitvt before 1.6.5 allows local users to execute arbitrary commands via the -rcfile command line argument.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0111 represents a critical format string flaw in the splitvt utility version 1.6.4 and earlier. This utility, designed for virtual terminal management in Unix-like systems, suffers from improper input validation when processing command line arguments. The specific weakness occurs during the handling of the -rcfile option, which allows local attackers to manipulate the program's behavior through crafted input strings. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of CWE-134, which addresses format string vulnerabilities where attacker-controlled data is used as format string arguments to functions like printf, sprintf, or fprintf without proper sanitization.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability enables malicious users to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the splitvt process. When the -rcfile argument is processed, the program fails to properly escape or validate user-supplied input, allowing attackers to inject format specifiers that can lead to memory corruption, information disclosure, or code execution. The attack typically involves crafting a specially formatted rcfile argument that contains format specifiers such as %x, %s, or %n, which can be used to read from or write to memory locations controlled by the attacker. This vulnerability specifically affects the command line argument parsing functionality and demonstrates poor input handling practices that are commonly associated with buffer overflow and format string attack vectors.
The operational impact of CVE-2001-0111 extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with a foothold for further system compromise. Since splitvt is often used in terminal multiplexer contexts and may run with elevated privileges, successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to system resources, modify critical configuration files, or establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no special privileges beyond local access and can be exploited through simple command line manipulation. From an attacker perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter usage, and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, as it allows local users to leverage a programmatic weakness for unauthorized system access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability focus primarily on immediate software updates and input validation improvements. System administrators should upgrade to splitvt version 1.6.5 or later, which contains patches addressing the format string vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization measures, such as using snprintf instead of sprintf, and validating all command line arguments against expected patterns, can prevent similar issues. The fix typically involves ensuring that user-supplied data passed to format string functions is properly escaped or treated as literal strings rather than format specifiers. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege for applications like splitvt that may be used in terminal environments, and conduct regular security audits of command line argument processing in system utilities. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation, particularly for utilities that handle user-supplied data in privileged contexts, aligning with security standards that emphasize defensive programming techniques and the prevention of common exploitation vectors.