CVE-2001-0522 in Privacy Guard
Summary
by MITRE
Format string vulnerability in Gnu Privacy Guard (aka GnuPG or gpg) 1.05 and earlier can allow an attacker to gain privileges via format strings in the original filename that is stored in an encrypted file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0522 represents a critical format string vulnerability within the GNU Privacy Guard (GnuPG) cryptographic software suite. This flaw exists in versions 1.05 and earlier, where the application fails to properly validate and sanitize user-supplied input during the processing of encrypted files. The vulnerability specifically manifests when GnuPG handles the original filename stored within encrypted files, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to exploit improper string formatting operations.
This format string vulnerability stems from the improper handling of user-provided data within the cryptographic processing pipeline of GnuPG. When an attacker crafts a specially formatted encrypted file containing malicious format specifiers in the original filename field, the application's string formatting functions may interpret these specifiers as commands rather than literal text. This misconfiguration allows the attacker to manipulate the execution flow of the program and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the GnuPG process. The vulnerability operates at the core of the software's file handling mechanisms, where it processes metadata associated with encrypted content without adequate input sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system compromise and data integrity violations. An attacker could leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary commands on systems running vulnerable versions of GnuPG, particularly when the software processes untrusted encrypted files. The vulnerability's exploitation requires the attacker to have the ability to create or modify encrypted files, but once exploited, it could lead to unauthorized access to cryptographic keys, decryption of sensitive data, or even complete system compromise. The affected environment typically includes systems where GnuPG is used for email encryption, file signing, or other cryptographic operations involving file metadata processing.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-0522 primarily focus on immediate version updates and input validation improvements. Organizations should upgrade to GnuPG versions 1.06 or later, which contain patches addressing the format string vulnerability. The fix typically involves implementing proper input sanitization and string formatting validation when processing filename metadata within encrypted files. Security practitioners should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the exposure of systems running vulnerable versions. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-134, which catalogs format string vulnerabilities, and represents a classic example of how improper input handling can lead to privilege escalation in cryptographic software. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique through software exploitation, specifically targeting the execution of arbitrary code via malformed input processing.