CVE-2001-1203 in gpm
Summary
by MITRE
Format string vulnerability in gpm-root in gpm 1.17.8 through 1.17.18 allows local users to gain root privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/30/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-1203 represents a critical format string flaw within the gpm package, specifically affecting versions 1.17.8 through 1.17.18. This issue resides in the gpm-root component, which is responsible for managing the general purpose mouse daemon in Unix-like systems. The gpm package serves as a crucial interface between mouse devices and terminal applications, enabling users to navigate text interfaces with mouse input. The format string vulnerability occurs when the program fails to properly validate user-supplied input before using it in printf-style functions, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by local attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-134, which defines the weakness of using user-supplied data in format string operations without proper validation or sanitization. The technical flaw manifests when the gpm-root component processes input from the mouse device without adequate bounds checking or input sanitization, allowing attackers to inject format specifiers that can manipulate the program's execution flow. When the vulnerable code encounters these specially crafted input sequences, it interprets them as format specifiers rather than literal text, potentially leading to stack corruption, information disclosure, or code execution. The exploitation process typically involves crafting malicious input that triggers the format string vulnerability, which then allows an attacker to overwrite critical memory locations including return addresses or function pointers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables local privilege escalation from regular user accounts to root privileges, bypassing normal system security controls. Attackers can exploit this condition to gain complete control over the affected system, potentially leading to data compromise, system infiltration, or the establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects Unix and Linux systems that rely on gpm for mouse input handling, particularly those running vulnerable versions of the package. The attack vector is local, meaning an attacker must already have access to the system to exploit this vulnerability, but the privilege escalation aspect makes it particularly dangerous for systems where local access is possible.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve immediate patching of the gpm package to versions that properly address the format string flaw. System administrators should update to gpm version 1.17.19 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and sanitization practices within the affected codebase can prevent similar issues from occurring in the future. The mitigation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers privilege escalation through local exploits, emphasizing the importance of keeping system components updated and applying security patches promptly. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime protections such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and non-executable stack protections to reduce the effectiveness of exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input handling in system-level software and the potential consequences when such safeguards are missing from security-critical components.