CVE-2001-1240 in Secure Linux
Summary
by MITRE
The default configuration of sudo in Engarde Secure Linux 1.0.1 allows any user in the admin group to run certain commands that could be leveraged to gain full root access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/08/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-1240 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the sudo configuration of Engarde Secure Linux 1.0.1 operating system. This issue stems from the default sudoers configuration that grants excessive permissions to members of the admin group, creating an unintended pathway for unauthorized privilege elevation. The flaw specifically allows users within this group to execute commands that should normally be restricted to root-level access, effectively undermining the fundamental security principles of least privilege and access control that are essential for secure system administration.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper configuration of sudoers file permissions and command restrictions. In the default setup of Engarde Secure Linux 1.0.1, users belonging to the admin group are granted broad command execution capabilities without proper restriction mechanisms. This configuration violates the principle of least privilege as outlined in the CWE-250 standard for improper privilege management, where the system fails to properly enforce access controls for privileged operations. The flaw essentially creates a backdoor within the legitimate administrative framework, allowing non-root users to bypass normal security boundaries through carefully crafted sudo command invocations that can escalate privileges to full root access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass complete system compromise. An attacker who gains membership in the admin group can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary commands with root privileges, potentially leading to complete system takeover, data exfiltration, or persistent access. This vulnerability directly maps to the ATT&CK technique T1068 for privilege escalation and T1548.003 for abuse of sudo. The consequences include unauthorized modification of system files, installation of malicious software, creation of persistent backdoors, and potential lateral movement within network environments where the compromised system serves as a foothold for further attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-1240 require immediate administrative intervention to correct the sudoers configuration and implement proper access controls. System administrators should review and tighten the sudoers file permissions, ensuring that only explicitly authorized commands are available to admin group members. The recommended approach involves implementing granular command restrictions using sudoers syntax to limit what commands each user or group can execute with elevated privileges. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security audits of their sudo configurations, implement regular privilege reviews, and establish proper access control policies that align with the principle of least privilege. The fix should include removing unnecessary command allowances and ensuring that any remaining commands are properly audited and justified from a security perspective, addressing the underlying CWE-250 vulnerability through proper privilege management implementation.