CVE-2003-0015 in CVS
Summary
by MITRE
Double-free vulnerability in CVS 1.11.4 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code via a malformed Directory request, as demonstrated by bypassing write checks to execute Update-prog and Checkin-prog commands.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2024
The CVE-2003-0015 vulnerability represents a critical double-free memory corruption issue affecting CVS version 1.11.4 and earlier implementations. This vulnerability resides within the version control system's handling of Directory requests, specifically when processing malformed directory information sent by remote attackers. The flaw manifests during the processing of directory entries where the software improperly manages memory allocation and deallocation sequences, leading to a scenario where the same memory block gets freed twice. This memory management error creates a predictable crash condition that can be exploited to cause denial of service or potentially achieve arbitrary code execution on the target system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the improper handling of Directory requests within the CVS protocol implementation. When a remote attacker sends a malformed Directory request containing specially crafted directory information, the software's internal processing logic fails to properly validate the input structure before attempting memory operations. The vulnerability specifically targets the write check bypass mechanism that allows execution of Update-prog and Checkin-prog commands, which are typically restricted to authorized users. This bypass occurs because the double-free condition corrupts the program's memory state, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate the execution flow and execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the CVS service account.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on CVS for version control management. The denial of service aspect can completely disrupt development workflows and source code management operations, while the potential for arbitrary code execution creates opportunities for persistent system compromise. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate availability of the CVS service but also introduces potential data integrity and confidentiality risks. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to source code repositories, potentially accessing sensitive intellectual property or proprietary code bases. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass potential lateral movement within network environments where CVS servers serve as development infrastructure points.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation through patching to address this vulnerability, as no effective workarounds exist for the underlying memory management flaw. The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to CVS versions 1.11.5 or later where the double-free condition has been resolved through proper memory management implementation. Security teams should also implement network segmentation to limit access to CVS servers and monitor for suspicious Directory request patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-415 which addresses double free conditions in memory management, and represents a significant concern from ATT&CK framework perspective under the T1190 technique for Exploit Public-Facing Application, highlighting the importance of maintaining secure software implementations for version control systems. Regular security assessments of development infrastructure and proper input validation procedures should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other software components.