CVE-2003-0056 in Slocate
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in secure locate (slocate) before 2.7 allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a long (1) -c or (2) -r command line argument.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/11/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0056 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the secure locate utility known as slocate. This issue affects versions prior to 2.7 of the slocate package, which is designed to provide a more secure alternative to the standard locate command by maintaining a database of file locations while restricting access to authorized users only. The vulnerability specifically manifests when processing command line arguments, particularly the -c and -r options that are used for searching files based on specific criteria such as file contents or regular expressions.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow stems from inadequate input validation within the slocate command line parsing mechanism. When local users provide excessively long arguments to either the -c or -r command line options, the program fails to properly bounds-check the input data before copying it into fixed-size memory buffers. This classic programming error allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting program execution flow and enabling arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the slocate process. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only local user access to exploit, making it accessible to anyone with basic system login credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for further system compromise. Since slocate typically runs with elevated privileges to access system file databases, successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute malicious code with higher privileges than their initial login credentials would permit. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where local access might be more readily available than remote access. The attack vector through command line arguments makes it difficult to detect in normal system monitoring, as the malicious input appears as legitimate command line usage.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-0056 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with slocate version 2.7 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes. System administrators should also implement strict input validation at the application level and consider deploying additional security controls such as mandatory access controls or privilege separation mechanisms. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation can lead to code execution vulnerabilities. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and potentially to initial access methods if combined with other exploitation vectors, making it an important target for security hardening efforts and vulnerability management programs.