CVE-2003-0064 in dtterm
Summary
by MITRE
The dtterm terminal emulator allows attackers to modify the window title via a certain character escape sequence and then insert it back to the command line in the user s terminal, e.g. when the user views a file containing the malicious sequence, which could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary commands.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-0064 resides within the dtterm terminal emulator, a component of the Data Terminal (dt) suite commonly found in unix and linux environments. This flaw represents a classic case of terminal escape sequence manipulation that exploits the trust relationship between the terminal application and user input processing. The vulnerability specifically targets the window title handling mechanism within dtterm, where certain character escape sequences can be interpreted and stored by the terminal application. These sequences are typically used for legitimate purposes such as setting window titles, changing colors, or controlling cursor positioning, but the implementation in dtterm fails to properly sanitize or validate these inputs.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a sophisticated form of command injection that leverages the terminal's own interpretation of escape sequences. When an attacker crafts a malicious escape sequence that modifies the window title, the terminal emulator processes this input and stores it in memory or configuration structures. The critical flaw emerges when this stored title information is later reinserted back into the command line context, particularly during file viewing operations. This creates a scenario where user input containing the malicious escape sequence is processed twice - first as a title modification and second as command line input, enabling the execution of arbitrary commands through seemingly benign file operations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to system security as it allows attackers to execute commands without requiring direct access to the system shell or elevated privileges. The attack vector is particularly insidious because it can be concealed within normal file content, making detection difficult and potentially allowing for privilege escalation or persistent access. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-15 (External Control of System or Configuration Setting) and CWE-74 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component) as it involves improper handling of user-supplied data that gets processed through multiple stages of interpretation. This type of vulnerability is categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1566 (Phishing) when considering how malicious sequences might be embedded in documents or files.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution to potentially enable complete system compromise, particularly in environments where users frequently view files containing untrusted content. The exploitation chain typically involves an attacker placing malicious escape sequences in files that users might view with dtterm, such as log files, configuration files, or documents. When users open these files, the terminal emulator processes the escape sequences, potentially executing commands with the privileges of the user running dtterm. This vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input validation and sanitization in terminal applications, particularly those that handle escape sequences, and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of terminal emulators and their handling of special character sequences. Organizations should implement strict access controls, regularly update terminal applications, and educate users about the risks of viewing untrusted files in terminal environments to mitigate potential exploitation of this vulnerability.