CVE-2003-0489 in tcptraceroute
Summary
by MITRE
tcptraceroute 1.4 and earlier does not fully drop privileges after obtaining a file descriptor for capturing packets, which may allow local users to gain access to the descriptor via a separate vulnerability in tcptraceroute.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0489 affects tcptraceroute versions 1.4 and earlier, presenting a significant privilege escalation risk within network diagnostic tools. This flaw resides in the application's privilege management mechanism during packet capture operations, where the software fails to properly relinquish elevated privileges after establishing a file descriptor for network packet monitoring. The issue stems from improper privilege handling during the initialization phase of the packet capture process, creating a window where the application maintains elevated access rights longer than necessary.
The technical flaw manifests when tcptraceroute executes with root privileges to access raw network sockets and capture packets for traceroute functionality. During this process, the application opens a file descriptor for packet capture but does not fully drop its root privileges afterward. This partial privilege retention creates a security boundary violation that allows local users to exploit the application's behavior and potentially access the open packet capture file descriptor. The vulnerability operates under the principle of privilege separation, where applications should minimize their privilege level immediately after completing tasks requiring elevated access, as defined by security best practices and standards such as CWE-279.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables local attackers to leverage the compromised packet capture descriptor for unauthorized network monitoring or data interception. An attacker with local access could potentially use the open file descriptor to capture network traffic that would otherwise be restricted to privileged processes, effectively bypassing network security controls. This represents a critical weakness in the application's security model, particularly in environments where tcptraceroute is used with elevated privileges. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers privilege escalation through the exploitation of process vulnerabilities, and demonstrates how improper privilege management can create persistent security weaknesses.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-0489 require immediate patching of tcptraceroute to versions 1.5 or later, where the privilege dropping mechanism has been properly implemented. System administrators should also implement privilege separation policies that ensure applications drop unnecessary privileges immediately after performing privileged operations. Additional protective measures include monitoring for unauthorized execution of tcptraceroute with elevated privileges, implementing proper file system permissions, and conducting regular security audits of network diagnostic tools. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following the principle of least privilege and demonstrates how seemingly minor privilege management flaws can create significant security risks in network monitoring applications. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities, particularly in environments where local privilege escalation risks are heightened.