CVE-2003-1308 in fvwm
Summary
by MITRE
CRLF injection vulnerability in fvwm-menu-directory for fvwm 2.5.x before 2.5.10 and 2.4.x before 2.4.18 allows local users to execute arbitrary commands via carriage returns in a filename.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/24/2024
The CVE-2003-1308 vulnerability represents a critical command injection flaw within the fvwm-menu-directory utility of the fvwm window manager suite. This vulnerability specifically affects versions 2.5.x prior to 2.5.10 and 2.4.x prior to 2.4.18, creating a dangerous condition where local users can manipulate the system through carefully crafted filename inputs containing carriage return characters. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the menu generation process, where the application fails to properly escape or filter special characters that have significance in command execution contexts.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a local attacker creates a filename containing carriage return characters that are subsequently processed by the fvwm-menu-directory utility. These control characters can be interpreted by the system shell as command terminators, allowing the attacker to inject malicious commands that execute with the privileges of the user running the menu generation process. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-74 as "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component" and specifically relates to CWE-94 as "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')", demonstrating how inadequate input handling can lead to arbitrary code execution in Unix-like environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands on systems running affected versions of fvwm. This creates potential for full system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistence mechanisms. The local nature of the vulnerability means that attackers must already have access to the system, but once exploited, the consequences can be severe for system integrity and confidentiality. The vulnerability affects systems where fvwm is used for menu generation, particularly those with default configurations that process user-provided filenames without proper sanitization.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-1308 should focus on immediate version updates to fvwm 2.5.10 or 2.4.18, which contain the necessary patches to address the CRLF injection issue. System administrators should also implement strict input validation and sanitization policies for all user-provided data, particularly when processing filenames or other user-controllable inputs that may be processed by shell commands. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced, ensuring that menu generation processes run with minimal required permissions and that user input is properly escaped before being processed by any system commands. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring and logging for unusual command execution patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and T1059.003 "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Windows Command Shell" in its exploitation methodology, demonstrating how command injection vulnerabilities can be leveraged across different operating environments.