CVE-2002-2099 in Data Display Debugger
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the GNU DataDisplay Debugger (DDD) 3.3.1 allows local users to execute arbitrary code and possibly gain privileges via a long HOME environment variable. NOTE: since DDD is not installed setuid or setgid, perhaps this issue should not be included in CVE.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/20/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-2099 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the GNU DataDisplay Debugger version 3.3.1. This issue stems from inadequate input validation when processing environment variables, specifically the HOME variable which is commonly used by Unix-like systems to determine user home directories. The flaw occurs when the debugger processes a malformed HOME environment variable that exceeds the allocated buffer space, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which occurs when data is written beyond the bounds of a fixed-length buffer allocated on the stack, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations including return addresses and function pointers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to potentially enable privilege escalation, though the original assessment notes that DDD is typically not installed with setuid or setgid permissions which would normally provide elevated privileges. However, the presence of such a vulnerability in any application creates significant risk as attackers may leverage it in combination with other exploits or misconfigurations within the system. The buffer overflow can be triggered by manipulating the HOME environment variable to contain an excessively long string, causing the debugger to overwrite memory contents when it attempts to process this variable during initialization or execution. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, as the successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the user running the debugger.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires careful crafting of the HOME environment variable to ensure proper buffer overflow occurs at the correct memory location. Attackers would typically need to overwrite the return address on the stack to redirect execution flow to malicious code placed within the buffer or adjacent memory regions. The vulnerability demonstrates poor defensive programming practices and highlights the importance of implementing proper bounds checking and input validation mechanisms. While the specific mention of DDD not being installed setuid or setgid reduces the immediate privilege escalation risk, the underlying flaw remains a serious security concern that could be exploited in other contexts where DDD might be running with elevated privileges or in conjunction with other vulnerabilities. The vulnerability underscores the critical need for regular security assessments and the application of secure coding practices throughout the software development lifecycle to prevent such memory corruption issues from reaching production environments.