CVE-2004-0074 in xsok
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in xsok 1.02 allows local users to gain privileges via (1) a long LANG environment variable, or (2) a long -xsokdir command line argument, a different vulnerability than CVE-2003-0949.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0074 affects the xsok 1.02 software, which is a utility designed to handle socket connections and network operations. This flaw represents a critical security issue that can be exploited by local attackers to escalate their privileges within the system. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation mechanisms that fail to properly check the length of user-supplied data before processing it within memory buffers. The affected software does not implement adequate bounds checking for environment variables or command line arguments, creating opportunities for malicious input to overwrite adjacent memory locations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves two distinct attack vectors that exploit the same underlying buffer overflow weakness. The first vector occurs when a local user sets an excessively long LANG environment variable, which the xsok application processes without proper length validation. The second vector involves providing an overly long -xsokdir command line argument that triggers the same buffer overflow condition. Both attack scenarios leverage the fundamental flaw in memory management where the application allocates fixed-size buffers but fails to verify that incoming data fits within these allocated boundaries. This type of vulnerability is classified as a classic buffer overflow under CWE-121, which represents a common weakness in software design where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to system security as local users can potentially execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The privilege escalation occurs because the xsok application likely runs with higher privileges than normal user accounts, and successful exploitation of the buffer overflow allows attackers to inject malicious code into the application's memory space. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to potentially provide attackers with complete system compromise, especially if the application has access to sensitive system resources or network interfaces. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain root access or administrative privileges, depending on how the application is configured and what privileges it operates with. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no network access and can be exploited entirely from within the local system environment.
The exploitation of CVE-2004-0074 aligns with several techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically relating to privilege escalation and execution of malicious code through local system manipulation. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting vulnerabilities to gain elevated privileges, and T1059, which covers execution through command-line interfaces. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of xsok software, implementing proper input validation controls, and conducting security audits to identify similar vulnerabilities in other system components. System administrators should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect unusual environment variable settings or command line arguments that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of defensive programming practices and proper memory management techniques that are essential for preventing such attacks. Additionally, organizations should establish robust patch management processes to ensure timely updates of all system components, particularly those that handle user input and operate with elevated privileges. The presence of this vulnerability in a system represents a significant security gap that could be exploited by attackers to establish persistent access or perform more sophisticated attacks.