CVE-2001-1561 in Xvt
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Xvt 2.1 in Debian Linux 2.2 allows local users to execute arbitrary code via long (1) -name and (2) -T arguments.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-1561 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Xvt 2.1 terminal emulator package distributed with Debian Linux 2.2 operating systems. This security weakness specifically manifests when the application processes command-line arguments, particularly the -name and -T parameters, which are commonly used to set window titles and names for terminal windows. The flaw arises from inadequate input validation and bounds checking within the application's argument parsing routine, creating a condition where maliciously crafted input can overwrite adjacent memory locations beyond the allocated buffer space.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate the length of user-supplied arguments before copying them into fixed-size memory buffers. When local users provide excessively long strings as arguments to the -name and -T flags, the application's string handling functions do not perform adequate bounds checking, allowing the input data to overflow into adjacent memory segments. This buffer overflow condition creates opportunities for arbitrary code execution because the overflow can overwrite critical program memory regions including return addresses, function pointers, or other control data structures that govern program execution flow.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to systems running affected versions of Debian Linux 2.2 with Xvt 2.1 installed. Since the flaw requires local user access to exploit, it represents a privilege escalation vulnerability that could potentially allow attackers with low-privilege accounts to gain elevated system privileges. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to include potential system compromise, data theft, or service disruption, particularly in environments where multiple users share the same system resources. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal sophistication and can be automated, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with the attack patterns outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique of privilege escalation through code injection. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including updating to patched versions of Xvt 2.1, applying security patches from Debian repositories, or implementing system hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary command-line options. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing mandatory access controls and monitoring for suspicious process execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of input validation and proper memory management in preventing buffer overflow exploits that have been a persistent threat in Unix-like operating systems since the early days of computing.