CVE-2001-1077 in rxvt
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in tt_printf function of rxvt 2.6.2 allows local users to gain privileges via a long (1) -T or (2) -name argument.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-1077 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the rxvt terminal emulator version 2.6.2. This issue resides in the tt_printf function which handles command line argument processing for terminal name and title specifications. The vulnerability manifests when local users provide excessively long arguments using either the -T flag for title specification or the -name flag for terminal name configuration. The buffer overflow occurs because the application fails to properly validate the length of user-supplied arguments before copying them into fixed-size buffers, creating a classic stack-based buffer overflow condition that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, a well-documented weakness category that describes situations where data is copied into a buffer without proper bounds checking, allowing the overflow to overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control data. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires only local user access, making it exploitable within the same system context where the vulnerable application operates. The privilege escalation aspect of this vulnerability means that an attacker with local access can potentially elevate their privileges to those of the process owner, which could be root or another elevated account depending on how rxvt is executed.
The operational impact of CVE-2001-1077 extends beyond simple code execution as it represents a fundamental flaw in input validation and memory management practices within the rxvt application. When exploited, this buffer overflow could allow attackers to overwrite the instruction pointer and redirect program execution flow, potentially enabling complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects the terminal emulator's argument parsing mechanism, which is commonly used in desktop environments and scripting contexts where rxvt might be invoked with user-provided parameters. This makes the exploit surface more widespread as the application could be called from various automated processes or user interfaces that pass terminal configuration arguments.
Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability in the context of the ATT&CK framework, specifically under the privilege escalation tactic where adversaries seek to gain higher-level permissions. The technique of using buffer overflows for privilege escalation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Local Privilege Escalation'. Mitigation strategies must include immediate patching of the rxvt application to version 2.7.0 or later where this vulnerability has been addressed through proper bounds checking and input validation. Additionally, system administrators should implement proper input sanitization at the application level, ensure that only trusted users have access to execute rxvt with potentially dangerous arguments, and consider implementing privilege separation mechanisms to limit the impact of potential exploitation. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of regular security auditing of legacy applications and the need for robust memory safety practices in software development, particularly in applications handling user input in terminal environments where privilege escalation risks are heightened.