CVE-2004-0180 in CVS
Summary
by MITRE
The client for CVS before 1.11 allows a remote malicious CVS server to create arbitrary files using certain RCS diff files that use absolute pathnames during checkouts or updates, a different vulnerability than CVE-2004-0405.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-0180 represents a critical security flaw in the Concurrent Versions System client software prior to version 1.11. This issue specifically affects the client-side processing of RCS (Revision Control System) diff files during checkout or update operations, creating a pathway for remote code execution through file system manipulation. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and path handling within the CVS client implementation, allowing malicious remote servers to craft specially formatted diff files that contain absolute pathnames.
The technical flaw manifests when the CVS client processes diff files containing absolute paths, which should normally be rejected or properly sanitized during the checkout process. This weakness enables attackers to manipulate the client's file creation behavior, potentially allowing arbitrary file creation in any location accessible to the user running the CVS client. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of file system permissions and network protocol handling, where the client fails to validate the legitimacy of absolute paths contained within remote diff data. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file creation capabilities, as it can potentially enable attackers to overwrite critical system files, create backdoor access points, or establish persistent access to compromised systems. When a user performs a checkout or update operation from a malicious CVS server, the client processes the diff file without adequate validation of the absolute paths contained within, leading to unintended file system modifications. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where developers regularly interact with external CVS repositories or where automated build processes pull code from untrusted sources.
The security implications of CVE-2004-0180 align with ATT&CK technique T1059.001, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as the vulnerability can be exploited to create malicious files that may later be executed or used to escalate privileges. Organizations using CVS software before version 1.11 face significant risk exposure, particularly in development environments where the client may be used to access repositories hosted on potentially compromised servers. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and the principle of least privilege in software design, where clients should never trust data received from remote sources without thorough sanitization and validation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve upgrading to CVS version 1.11 or later, which includes proper path validation and sanitization mechanisms. System administrators should also implement network segmentation to limit access to trusted CVS servers, deploy network monitoring to detect unusual file creation patterns, and establish strict policies for checking out code from external repositories. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing automated security scanning tools that can detect potentially malicious diff files and enforce secure coding practices in their development workflows. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of validating all external input and maintaining up-to-date software versions to protect against known security flaws.