CVE-2003-0848 in slocate
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in main.c of slocate 2.6, and possibly other versions, may allow local users to gain privileges via a modified slocate database that causes a negative "pathlen" value to be used.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-0848 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow affecting the slocate package version 2.6 and potentially other iterations. This flaw exists within the main.c source file and demonstrates a classic memory corruption issue that can be exploited to escalate privileges locally. The slocate package serves as a file location utility that maintains a database of file paths and their locations on the system, making it a potentially valuable target for attackers seeking to manipulate system security. The vulnerability arises from improper input validation when processing slocate database files, creating conditions where maliciously crafted database entries can trigger unexpected behavior in the application's memory management.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a local attacker modifies the slocate database file to contain a negative pathlen value. This negative value manipulation causes the application to allocate memory incorrectly, leading to heap corruption that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The heap-based nature of the overflow means that the attacker can overwrite critical memory structures and potentially redirect program execution flow. The vulnerability specifically targets the memory allocation routines that handle path length calculations, where the negative pathlen value creates an invalid memory access pattern that corrupts adjacent heap memory regions. This type of memory corruption aligns with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and represents a direct threat to system integrity and privilege escalation capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple local privilege escalation, as it can compromise the entire system security model when exploited successfully. Attackers can leverage this flaw to gain root access or administrative privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise and persistent access. The local nature of the attack means that any user with access to modify the slocate database can potentially exploit this vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments. The slocate package is commonly used for system administration and security auditing purposes, so exploitation could provide attackers with access to sensitive system information and control over file access patterns. This vulnerability also demonstrates poor input validation practices that violate security best practices and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1068, Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, highlighting the direct pathway to elevated system access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-0848 should prioritize immediate patching of affected slocate versions to address the heap overflow vulnerability. System administrators should implement proper file access controls and monitoring for slocate database modifications to detect potential exploitation attempts. The recommended approach includes applying security patches from trusted sources, implementing file integrity monitoring solutions, and restricting write access to slocate database files. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing principle of least privilege models to limit user access to system administration tools that could be exploited. Security hardening measures should include regular vulnerability assessments, proper input validation implementation, and monitoring for anomalous memory allocation patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of secure coding practices and input validation, particularly in system utilities that handle external data inputs, as this flaw could have been prevented through proper bounds checking and memory management procedures.