CVE-2003-0618 in suidperl
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple vulnerabilities in suidperl 5.6.1 and earlier allow a local user to obtain sensitive information about files for which the user does not have appropriate permissions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0618 affects suidperl versions 5.6.1 and earlier, representing a significant security flaw in the Perl interpreter's handling of file permissions and access controls. This issue specifically targets the setuid execution environment where perl scripts are run with elevated privileges, creating a potential attack vector for local users to bypass normal file access restrictions. The vulnerability stems from improper permission checking mechanisms within the suidperl implementation, which fails to properly validate user access rights when processing file operations.
The technical flaw manifests through the inadequate enforcement of file permission checks during suid execution contexts. When perl scripts are executed with setuid privileges, the underlying system should strictly enforce access controls to prevent unauthorized file access. However, suidperl 5.6.1 and earlier versions contain implementation gaps that allow local users to infer information about files and directories that they would normally not have access to. This information disclosure occurs through various means including file existence checks, permission queries, and other metadata retrieval operations that are not properly restricted in the setuid context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with valuable reconnaissance data that could be leveraged in subsequent attacks. Local users who exploit this vulnerability can gather sensitive information about the system's file structure, identify potentially vulnerable files, and map out access patterns that might reveal system configurations or user data. This reconnaissance capability significantly increases the risk of privilege escalation attacks, as attackers can use the disclosed information to target specific files or directories with more sophisticated exploitation techniques. The vulnerability particularly affects systems where suidperl is used for administrative scripts or system utilities, as these often handle sensitive data and operations.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses "Information Exposure Through Output Error Messages," and represents a classic example of improper access control in privileged execution environments. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this issue maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and reconnaissance activities, specifically targeting the T1068 "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and T1083 "File and Directory Discovery" tactics. The vulnerability demonstrates how improper implementation of security controls in setuid programs can create persistent access control weaknesses that remain exploitable across multiple system interactions.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of suidperl installations to versions that properly enforce file access controls in setuid contexts. System administrators should conduct comprehensive audits of all systems running suidperl to identify and disable unnecessary setuid perl installations. Additionally, implementing proper file permission controls, regular security scanning, and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts can help detect exploitation attempts. The recommended approach includes upgrading to patched versions of perl, implementing proper access control lists, and conducting regular vulnerability assessments to ensure that no other setuid programs contain similar permission enforcement flaws. Organizations should also consider alternative approaches to privileged execution that do not rely on potentially vulnerable setuid mechanisms.