CVE-2004-0494 in Linux Advanced Workstation
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple extfs backend scripts for GNOME virtual file system (VFS) before 1.0.1 may allow remote attackers to perform certain unauthorized actions via a gnome-vfs URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-0494 affects the GNOME virtual file system implementation prior to version 1.0.1, specifically targeting the extfs backend scripts that handle file system operations. This represents a significant security flaw within the desktop environment's file access mechanisms, where the vulnerability stems from improper handling of Uniform Resource Identifiers in the gnome-vfs framework. The affected systems utilize GNOME's virtual file system to provide transparent access to various file systems and network resources through a unified interface, making this a critical component for desktop security.
The technical flaw manifests in the insufficient validation and sanitization of URI parameters within the extfs backend scripts that process file system operations. When remote attackers craft malicious gnome-vfs URIs, they can exploit the lack of proper input validation to execute unauthorized actions on the target system. This vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation as classified by CWE-20, where the system fails to properly validate or sanitize input data before processing. The issue allows for potential privilege escalation and unauthorized file system access, as the backend scripts do not adequately verify the legitimacy of the URI parameters they receive.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it can enable attackers to perform arbitrary file system operations including reading, writing, and potentially deleting files on the target system. The vulnerability affects the core GNOME VFS infrastructure, which means that any application relying on GNOME's virtual file system for file operations could be compromised. This creates a broad attack surface that impacts not just individual applications but the entire desktop environment's file access security model. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain persistent access to user data, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-0494 involve immediate patching of the GNOME virtual file system components to version 1.0.1 or later, which includes proper URI parameter validation and sanitization. System administrators should also implement network-level restrictions to limit access to GNOME VFS services and consider disabling unnecessary VFS backends to reduce the attack surface. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and script execution, as attackers could potentially use the compromised VFS functionality to execute arbitrary commands through file system operations. Additionally, implementing proper input validation mechanisms and following secure coding practices for URI handling would prevent similar vulnerabilities in future implementations. Organizations should also consider monitoring for suspicious VFS URI access patterns and implementing least privilege principles for file system operations to minimize potential damage from such exploits.