CVE-2003-0326 in Slocate
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in parse_decode_path() of slocate may allow attackers to execute arbitrary code via a LOCATE_PATH with a large number of ":" (colon) characters, whose count is used in a call to malloc.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-0326 represents a critical integer overflow condition within the slocate utility's parse_decode_path() function that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. This flaw exists in the way the slocate program processes the LOCATE_PATH environment variable, specifically when handling a large number of colon characters that serve as path separators. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory allocation handling within the software's parsing logic.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of the LOCATE_PATH environment variable to contain an excessive number of colon characters, typically in the range of thousands or tens of thousands. When slocate processes this malformed input, the parse_decode_path() function calculates the number of path components by counting these colons and subsequently passes this count to the malloc() memory allocation function. Due to the integer overflow occurring during this count calculation, the resulting memory allocation request becomes significantly smaller than intended, leading to a buffer that is insufficiently sized for the actual data that needs to be stored.
This integer overflow condition creates a scenario where the application allocates insufficient memory for the parsed path components, potentially resulting in memory corruption that can be exploited by malicious actors. The overflow occurs because the application uses a 32-bit integer to count the number of colons, and when this count exceeds the maximum value that can be represented by the integer type, it wraps around to a much smaller value. This wraparound results in malloc() allocating a buffer that is orders of magnitude smaller than what is actually needed, creating a classic buffer overflow condition that can be leveraged for code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can be exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems running vulnerable versions of slocate. The attack vector requires the attacker to control or influence the LOCATE_PATH environment variable, which is typically set during program execution or through environment manipulation. This vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in environments where slocate is used with elevated privileges or where attackers can manipulate environment variables through various attack vectors such as shell injection or environment variable manipulation in scripts.
According to the CWE database, this vulnerability maps to CWE-190, which describes integer overflow conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The attack pattern aligns with the ATT&CK framework's technique T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreters, as exploitation may involve manipulating environment variables to trigger the vulnerable code path. The vulnerability also relates to T1203, which covers legitimate programs with elevated permissions, since slocate may be installed with setuid privileges in many distributions. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the fact that it requires minimal input manipulation and can be executed without requiring special privileges beyond those needed to set environment variables.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include updating to patched versions of slocate that properly handle integer overflow conditions in path parsing, implementing proper input validation to limit the number of colon characters in environment variables, and applying runtime protections such as stack canaries or address space layout randomization to make exploitation more difficult. System administrators should also consider removing or restricting the use of slocate in environments where it runs with elevated privileges, as the vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in such contexts. Additionally, monitoring for unusual patterns in environment variable usage and implementing proper access controls around the slocate utility can help prevent exploitation of this vulnerability in production environments.