CVE-2004-0232 in Midnight Commander
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple format string vulnerabilities in Midnight Commander (mc) before 4.6.0 may allow attackers to cause a denial of service or execute arbitrary code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0232 represents a critical security flaw in Midnight Commander, a widely used open-source file manager for Unix-like operating systems. This vulnerability affects versions of mc prior to 4.6.0 and encompasses multiple format string vulnerabilities that can be exploited by malicious actors to compromise system integrity. The flaw resides in the application's handling of user-supplied input within format string operations, creating opportunities for both denial of service conditions and arbitrary code execution. Format string vulnerabilities occur when an application uses user input directly in format string functions without proper validation or sanitization, allowing attackers to manipulate the format string parsing mechanism.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the Midnight Commander's string formatting routines. When the application processes user-provided data through functions such as printf or sprintf without adequate sanitization, attackers can inject malicious format specifiers that alter program execution flow. These format string vulnerabilities fall under the CWE-134 classification, which specifically addresses the use of format strings with user-supplied data. The vulnerability allows attackers to read from arbitrary memory locations or write data to specific memory addresses, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through various attack vectors including command-line arguments, file names, or user interface inputs that the application processes.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-0232 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass full system compromise capabilities. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the mc process, potentially escalating to root access if the application runs with elevated permissions. The denial of service aspect manifests when attackers cause the application to crash or enter an infinite loop through malformed format strings, rendering the file manager unusable and potentially affecting system stability. The vulnerability's exploitation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, where attackers can leverage format string flaws to execute malicious payloads. Systems running vulnerable versions of Midnight Commander are at significant risk, particularly in environments where mc is frequently used or where users have the ability to upload or manipulate file names.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-0232 primarily focus on immediate version upgrades to mc 4.6.0 or later, which contain patches addressing the format string vulnerabilities. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all instances of Midnight Commander are updated promptly. Additionally, input validation measures should be implemented at the application level to sanitize all user-supplied data before processing, particularly when handling format strings. Network segmentation and privilege separation can help limit the potential impact of exploitation, ensuring that even if mc is compromised, attackers cannot easily escalate privileges or access sensitive system resources. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual mc process behavior or memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in preventing format string vulnerabilities that can lead to complete system compromise.