CVE-2004-0047 in trr19
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple programs in trr19 1.0 do not properly drop privileges before executing a system command, which could allow local users to gain privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0047 resides within the trr19 1.0 software suite, specifically affecting multiple programs that fail to properly relinquish elevated privileges before executing system commands. This flaw represents a critical privilege escalation vulnerability that directly contravenes fundamental security principles of least privilege and privilege separation. The issue manifests when programs running with elevated permissions execute subsequent system operations without appropriately dropping their privilege levels, creating a pathway for local attackers to exploit this behavior and elevate their access rights. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where local users might attempt to leverage these weaknesses to gain unauthorized administrative access or execute malicious code with higher privileges than initially intended.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper privilege management within the affected programs, which typically operate under root or administrator privileges during execution. When these programs execute system commands without first dropping their elevated privileges, they create a persistent security risk that allows attackers to inject malicious payloads or commands that execute with the same elevated permissions as the parent process. This behavior violates core security practices and represents a clear deviation from secure coding standards. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-276, which addresses improper privilege management, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers privilege escalation through the exploitation of software vulnerabilities. The flaw essentially creates a persistent backdoor mechanism where local users can manipulate program execution flow to achieve privilege elevation.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-0047 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of systems running affected software. Local users who can exploit this vulnerability gain the ability to execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Attackers might leverage this weakness to install persistent backdoors, modify system files, access sensitive data, or disable security mechanisms. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no network connectivity or external attack vectors - the exploit can be executed entirely from within the local system. This makes it especially dangerous in environments where local access is not strictly controlled or where users might have legitimate access to systems but should not possess elevated privileges. The security implications include potential data breaches, system integrity compromises, and the ability to maintain persistent access to compromised systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-0047 focus on implementing proper privilege management practices within the affected programs. The primary recommendation involves ensuring that all programs executing system commands properly drop their elevated privileges before invoking external commands. This can be achieved through the implementation of privilege separation mechanisms, such as using setuid/setgid bits appropriately, or employing privilege dropping functions that explicitly lower permissions before command execution. Organizations should also implement strict access controls and audit logging to detect unauthorized privilege escalation attempts. Additionally, the affected software should be updated to versions that address this specific vulnerability, as the trr19 1.0 software suite is likely outdated and may contain other security weaknesses. System administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of this software and ensure proper privilege management is implemented across all affected programs. The remediation process should include code review procedures to identify similar privilege management issues and establish secure coding practices that prevent such vulnerabilities from being introduced in future software development cycles.