CVE-2002-1245 in Luxman
Summary
by MITRE
Maped in LuxMan 0.41 uses the user-provided search path to find and execute the gzip program, which allows local users to modify /dev/mem and gain privileges via a modified PATH environment variable that points to a Trojan horse gzip program.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-1245 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the LuxMan 0.41 software suite that demonstrates poor input validation and insecure programming practices. This issue specifically affects systems where LuxMan is installed and operates with elevated privileges, creating a dangerous attack vector for local users who wish to gain unauthorized access to system resources. The vulnerability stems from the software's improper handling of external program execution through user-provided search paths, which directly violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and input sanitization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the PATH environment variable manipulation to redirect program execution to malicious binaries. When LuxMan executes the gzip program, it does not perform proper validation of the program's location or integrity, instead relying on the standard system PATH resolution mechanism. This design flaw allows attackers to place a specially crafted Trojan horse gzip program in a directory that appears earlier in the PATH than the legitimate system gzip binary. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-78 as "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command," which specifically addresses the dangerous practice of executing OS commands with user-controllable input without proper sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it enables local users to escalate their privileges and potentially gain root access to the system. By crafting a malicious gzip binary that appears to be the legitimate system utility, attackers can manipulate the execution flow of LuxMan to perform unauthorized operations. The specific ability to modify /dev/mem through this technique demonstrates the potential for attackers to directly access and alter system memory, which could lead to complete system compromise. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the system level and can bypass many traditional security controls that operate at higher privilege levels.
The attack vector for this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which focuses on "Local Port Forwarding" and privilege escalation through environment manipulation. The vulnerability can be exploited through a simple PATH modification attack where an attacker creates a malicious gzip binary in a directory that will be searched before the legitimate system binary. This technique represents a classic example of a "path hijacking" attack that has been documented in numerous security advisories over the years. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill and can be automated, making it particularly attractive to attackers seeking to gain unauthorized system access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-1245 must address the core design flaw in LuxMan's program execution handling. The primary solution involves implementing absolute path references for all external program execution, eliminating reliance on the PATH environment variable for critical system operations. System administrators should also implement proper file permissions and integrity checking mechanisms to prevent unauthorized modifications to system binaries. Additionally, the software should be updated to version 0.42 or later, as this vulnerability was patched in subsequent releases. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual PATH modifications and unauthorized binary installations in system directories, particularly those that could be used to escalate privileges through command injection attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing mandatory access controls and privilege separation techniques to limit the impact of such vulnerabilities even when they occur.