CVE-2002-0143 in Eterm
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Eterm of Enlightenment Imlib2 1.0.4 and earlier allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a long HOME environment variable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0143 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Eterm terminal emulator component of the Enlightenment Imlib2 library version 1.0.4 and earlier. This issue stems from inadequate input validation when processing the HOME environment variable, creating a pathway for malicious exploitation that could lead to arbitrary code execution with elevated privileges. The flaw exists in the way the application handles environment variable data, specifically when the HOME variable exceeds the allocated buffer size, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations and potentially manipulate program execution flow.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows data to be written beyond the allocated buffer space. This particular implementation affects the Eterm terminal emulator's environment variable handling mechanism, where the application fails to properly validate the length of the HOME environment variable before copying it into a fixed-size buffer. The buffer overflow occurs during the initialization phase of the terminal emulator when it attempts to process user environment variables, making the vulnerability exploitable during normal application startup procedures. Attackers can leverage this weakness by setting an excessively long HOME environment variable that triggers the buffer overflow condition, potentially allowing them to inject and execute malicious code within the context of the running process.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant security risk to systems utilizing affected versions of the Enlightenment Imlib2 library, as local users can escalate their privileges to execute arbitrary code with the same permissions as the vulnerable application. The attack vector requires local system access but does not necessitate network connectivity, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where privilege escalation could lead to unauthorized system control. The vulnerability affects the broader Enlightenment desktop environment ecosystem, potentially compromising multiple applications that rely on the vulnerable Imlib2 library components. Security professionals should note that this flaw demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in system-level applications, as environment variables are often trusted inputs that may not undergo sufficient sanitization.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-0143 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with updated versions of the Enlightenment Imlib2 library that address the buffer overflow condition. System administrators should implement environment variable length restrictions and validation mechanisms to prevent exploitation attempts, while also monitoring for unauthorized modifications to critical system components. The remediation approach aligns with defensive security practices outlined in the ATT&CK framework under the privilege escalation and defense evasion tactics, emphasizing the need for proper input validation and secure coding practices. Organizations should also consider implementing process isolation and privilege separation techniques to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, while maintaining comprehensive logging and monitoring to detect suspicious environment variable modifications that could indicate attempted exploitation. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar buffer overflow conditions in other system components.