CVE-2001-0230 in dc20ctrl
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in dc20ctrl before 0.4_1 in FreeBSD, and possibly other operating systems, allows local users to gain privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0230 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the dc20ctrl utility version 0.4_1 and earlier in FreeBSD operating systems. This issue affects not only FreeBSD but potentially other Unix-like systems that utilize the same software components. The dc20ctrl utility is typically used for controlling digital camera devices and managing their communication protocols with the system. The buffer overflow occurs when the application processes input data without proper bounds checking, allowing malicious input to overwrite adjacent memory locations in the program's execution space.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the dc20ctrl application's memory management routines. When the utility receives data from external sources or user inputs, it fails to verify the length of incoming data against the allocated buffer size, creating an exploitable condition where attackers can craft malicious input that exceeds the buffer boundaries. This flaw specifically manifests in the application's handling of device communication parameters and configuration data, where the overflow can corrupt critical program variables, return addresses, or stack frames that control the execution flow.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides local users with the capability to escalate their privileges within the system. Since the application likely runs with elevated permissions due to its role in device control, successful exploitation can allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code with higher privileges than initially granted. This privilege escalation can potentially lead to complete system compromise, as the attacker gains access to sensitive system resources, can modify critical system files, and can establish persistent access mechanisms. The local nature of the vulnerability means that an attacker must already have access to the system, but the privilege escalation aspect makes this access extremely valuable for further exploitation.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how device management utilities can become attack vectors. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as privilege escalation through software exploitation, specifically leveraging local system utilities to gain elevated privileges. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly innocuous device control applications can contain critical security flaws that undermine system integrity. Mitigation strategies include applying the vendor-provided patches that correct the buffer overflow issue through proper input validation and bounds checking. Additionally, system administrators should implement principle of least privilege configurations, ensure regular security updates, and consider disabling unnecessary device control utilities. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of code review processes and security testing for system utilities, particularly those that handle external input and operate with elevated privileges.