CVE-2001-0370 in fcheck
Summary
by MITRE
fcheck prior to 2.57.59 calls the file signature checking program insecurely, which can allow a local user to run arbitrary commands via a file name that contains shell metacharacters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-0370 affects the fcheck utility version 2.57.59 and earlier, which is a file signature checking program commonly used in Unix-like systems for verifying file integrity and detecting malicious content. This flaw represents a classic command injection vulnerability that arises from improper handling of user-supplied input during file name processing. The vulnerability exists in how fcheck processes file names that contain shell metacharacters, creating an opportunity for local attackers to execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from insecure command execution practices within the fcheck utility. When processing file names that contain special shell characters such as semicolons, pipes, or backticks, the program fails to properly sanitize or escape these metacharacters before incorporating them into system commands. This insecure handling directly maps to CWE-78, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, and CWE-88, which covers insufficient sanitation of command line arguments. The vulnerability allows attackers to inject shell commands that get executed with the privileges of the fcheck process, typically running with elevated permissions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for systems that rely on fcheck for file integrity verification, particularly in environments where local users might have access to the system or where the utility is used in automated security workflows. A local attacker could exploit this vulnerability by creating a malicious file with a name containing shell metacharacters, then triggering the fcheck utility to process this file. The consequences could include privilege escalation, system compromise, or unauthorized access to sensitive system resources. This vulnerability particularly affects Unix-based systems where fcheck is commonly deployed for security auditing and file integrity monitoring purposes.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve immediate patching of the fcheck utility to version 2.57.59 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for proper input sanitization. System administrators should also implement proper file name validation and sanitization mechanisms, ensuring that all user-supplied file names are properly escaped before being processed by system commands. Additional protective measures include running the fcheck utility with minimal required privileges, implementing proper file access controls, and monitoring for suspicious file creation patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001, which covers command and scripting interpreter execution, and T1068, covering exploit for privilege escalation, making it a critical concern for enterprise security teams implementing defensive measures against local privilege escalation attacks.