CVE-2003-0289 in Cdrecord
Summary
by MITRE
Format string vulnerability in scsiopen.c of the cdrecord program in cdrtools 2.0 allows local users to gain privileges via format string specifiers in the dev parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0289 represents a critical format string flaw within the cdrecord program suite, specifically within the scsiopen.c module of cdrtools version 2.0. This issue manifests as a local privilege escalation vector that exploits improper input validation in the device parameter handling mechanism. The vulnerability stems from the program's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input before using it in format string operations, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate program execution flow and potentially elevate their privileges on the affected system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a local user provides a specially crafted dev parameter containing format string specifiers to the cdrecord program. These specifiers allow the attacker to read from or write to arbitrary memory locations, potentially leading to stack corruption, information disclosure, or code execution. The flaw specifically resides in how the program processes device identifiers without adequate input sanitization, enabling attackers to inject format specifiers that can be interpreted by the underlying printf-family functions. This type of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-134 as "Use of Externally-Controlled Format String" and represents a classic example of improper input validation in security-critical code paths.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive system resources. Local users who can execute the cdrecord program with sufficient privileges to pass device parameters can leverage this flaw to gain elevated system access, potentially allowing them to execute arbitrary code with root privileges. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that cdrecord is commonly installed on systems for optical media burning operations, making it accessible to various user accounts. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves the exploitation of local privilege escalation opportunities, and represents a foundational security weakness that can serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-0289 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening approaches. The primary solution involves updating to a patched version of cdrtools where the format string vulnerability has been eliminated through proper input validation and sanitization of device parameters. System administrators should also implement mandatory access controls and privilege separation to limit the potential impact of local users who might attempt to exploit this vulnerability. Additionally, security monitoring should include detection of unusual cdrecord usage patterns and parameter injection attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation in security-critical applications and underscores the necessity of following secure coding practices that prevent format string vulnerabilities through proper parameter handling and string formatting operations. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in legacy software components and ensure comprehensive patch management processes are in place to address such issues promptly.