CVE-2004-0536 in Tripwire
Summary
by MITRE
Format string vulnerability in Tripwire commercial 4.0.1 and earlier, including 2.4, and open source 2.3.1 and earlier, allows local users to gain privileges via format string specifiers in a file name, which is used in the generation of an email report.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/28/2019
This vulnerability exists in Tripwire versions 4.0.1 and earlier, including version 2.4, as well as open source versions 2.3.1 and earlier, representing a critical format string flaw that enables local privilege escalation. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the email report generation functionality where the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied file names before using them in format string operations. When a malicious user creates a file with a specially crafted name containing format string specifiers such as %s, %d, or %x, the application processes this filename without adequate sanitization, leading to potential exploitation of the format string vulnerability. This flaw operates at the application level where untrusted input is directly incorporated into printf-style functions without proper validation or escaping mechanisms. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially compromising the entire system. According to the CWE database, this maps to CWE-134 which describes the weakness of using user-supplied format strings in functions like printf, sprintf, or fprintf without proper validation. The attack vector leverages the principle of insufficient input validation where the application does not adequately check or sanitize input before processing it in security-sensitive contexts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with a pathway to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system resources and potentially establish persistent backdoors. When the Tripwire application generates email reports, it processes filenames that may contain format specifiers, allowing attackers to manipulate the output format string and potentially read or write memory locations. This type of vulnerability is classified under the MITRE ATT&CK framework as part of the privilege escalation category, specifically targeting the execution of malicious code through application-level flaws. The vulnerability affects both commercial and open source variants of Tripwire, indicating a widespread exposure across different deployment scenarios and organizations that rely on this security monitoring tool. Attackers can exploit this by creating maliciously formatted filenames in directories monitored by Tripwire, causing the application to execute unintended memory operations that could lead to code execution or information disclosure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Tripwire versions to address the format string processing flaw. Organizations should implement strict input validation measures where all user-supplied filenames are sanitized before being processed in any printf-style functions. The recommended approach includes using safe string functions such as snprintf instead of sprintf, and implementing comprehensive input filtering that removes or escapes format specifiers from filenames. System administrators should also consider restricting file creation privileges in monitored directories and implementing proper access controls to limit the ability of local users to create maliciously formatted files. Additionally, monitoring for suspicious filename patterns and implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The fix should involve comprehensive code review to ensure all instances of format string usage are properly validated and that no similar vulnerabilities exist in related functions. Organizations should also establish secure coding practices that prevent format string vulnerabilities by following the principle of least privilege and implementing proper input sanitization at all levels of application processing. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other system components that may present similar attack surfaces.