CVE-2002-0915 in Xandros Desktop Os
Summary
by MITRE
autorun in Xandros based Linux distributions allows local users to read the first line of arbitrary files via the -c parameter, which causes autorun to print the first line of the file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/26/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0915 resides within the autorun functionality of Xandros-based Linux distributions, representing a significant privilege escalation and information disclosure weakness. This flaw specifically affects systems running the Xandros operating system which is built upon Debian Linux foundations, making it a critical concern for organizations utilizing this particular distribution. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the autorun utility that processes command-line arguments without adequate sanitization, creating a path for local attackers to exploit the system's file reading capabilities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the -c parameter within the autorun utility, which is designed to execute commands specified in configuration files. When an attacker provides a malicious file path through this parameter, the autorun utility fails to properly validate the input and instead directly processes the file path to read and display the first line of the specified file. This behavior creates a privilege escalation vector where local users can access sensitive information from files they would normally not have permission to read, effectively bypassing standard file access controls and permissions mechanisms that are fundamental to Linux security architecture.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-0915 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables attackers to potentially extract sensitive data from system files, configuration files, or even password hashes that might be stored in plain text within the first line of certain files. This vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where local users might attempt to gather information about other users' accounts, system configurations, or even attempt to escalate their privileges by accessing files containing authentication credentials or system secrets. The attack vector is relatively simple to execute, requiring only local system access and basic understanding of the autorun utility's command-line interface, making it a particularly concerning weakness for system administrators who may not have adequate monitoring in place.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and represents a classic example of a command injection flaw that could potentially be leveraged in combination with other vulnerabilities to achieve more significant system compromise. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this under privilege escalation techniques, specifically T1068, which involves exploiting vulnerabilities to gain elevated privileges, and potentially T1005, which covers data from local system storage. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling unnecessary autorun functionality, restricting local user access to potentially vulnerable utilities, and ensuring proper input validation is implemented in all system utilities. Additionally, system administrators should conduct comprehensive audits of all installed utilities to identify similar vulnerabilities and ensure that appropriate access controls and privilege separation mechanisms are in place to prevent unauthorized information disclosure across all system components.