CVE-2003-0644 in Kdbg
Summary
by MITRE
Kdbg 1.1.0 through 1.2.8 does not check permissions of the .kdbgrc file, which allows local users to execute arbitrary commands.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/12/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-0644 affects the Kdbg debugger version 1.1.0 through 1.2.8, representing a critical security flaw that stems from improper permission handling during configuration file processing. This issue specifically targets the .kdbgrc file which serves as the configuration file for the Kdbg debugging environment, allowing local attackers to escalate privileges by executing arbitrary commands through maliciously crafted configuration content. The flaw exists because the debugger fails to validate file permissions before processing the .kdbgrc file, creating an avenue for privilege escalation attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the debugger's configuration file parsing mechanism where it indiscriminately executes commands contained within the .kdbgrc file without verifying the file's ownership or access permissions. This behavior directly violates security principles of least privilege and proper access control enforcement. When a local user creates or modifies a .kdbgrc file with malicious command sequences, the debugger processes these commands with the privileges of the user who initiated the debugging session, potentially allowing execution of arbitrary system commands with elevated privileges. The vulnerability is classified as a privilege escalation issue under CWE-276, which specifically addresses improper file permissions and access control mechanisms.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to systems where Kdbg is installed and used by multiple users or where debugging sessions might be initiated by users with varying privilege levels. The impact extends beyond simple command execution as it can potentially allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to system resources, modify critical files, or establish persistent backdoors through the debugger's configuration processing. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to compromise entire systems by exploiting the debugging environment's elevated privileges, particularly in development environments where debuggers are frequently used with administrative privileges. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers privilege escalation through the exploitation of system vulnerabilities.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-0644 primarily involve immediate patching of affected Kdbg versions to 1.2.9 or later, which includes proper permission checking mechanisms for configuration files. System administrators should also implement restrictive file permissions for .kdbgrc files, ensuring they are owned by the intended user and not writable by other users. Additionally, monitoring for unauthorized modifications to debugger configuration files and implementing file integrity checking mechanisms can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and access control in security-critical applications, particularly those that process user-supplied configuration data. Organizations should also consider implementing least privilege principles for debugging tools and regularly auditing system configurations to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in other software components.