CVE-2004-1174 in Midnight Commander
Summary
by MITRE
direntry.c in Midnight Commander (mc) 4.5.55 and earlier allows attackers to cause a denial of service by "manipulating non-existing file handles."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1174 affects Midnight Commander version 4.5.55 and earlier, representing a denial of service condition within the direntry.c component of this file management utility. This flaw manifests when attackers manipulate non-existing file handles, creating a scenario where the application fails to properly handle invalid file references during directory operations. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and error handling mechanisms within the file system interaction code, specifically in how the software processes directory entries containing references to files that do not exist. Such manipulation can occur through various means including crafted directory listings, symbolic links pointing to non-existent targets, or artificial file handle creation that bypasses normal file system validation checks.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability operates at the application level within the file management subsystem of Midnight Commander, which is widely used in Unix-like operating systems for graphical file operations. The flaw represents a classic case of improper error handling where the software does not adequately validate file handle states before attempting to process directory entries. When non-existing file handles are encountered, the application fails to gracefully manage these conditions, leading to application instability and potential termination. This behavior aligns with CWE-248, which addresses improper exception handling, and demonstrates how insufficient validation of file system operations can create exploitable conditions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through normal file system operations without requiring special privileges, making it accessible to any user with access to the affected system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it can compromise the overall stability of systems where Midnight Commander is actively used for file management tasks. Attackers can exploit this weakness to repeatedly crash the application, potentially causing disruption to users performing routine file operations. In environments where Midnight Commander serves as a primary file management tool, such as in desktop environments or server administration interfaces, this vulnerability could lead to productivity losses and system unavailability. The exploitability of this condition is relatively straightforward, as it requires only the ability to manipulate directory listings or file references that point to non-existent targets, making it a practical concern for system administrators and security practitioners monitoring file management utilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-1174 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves upgrading to Midnight Commander version 4.5.56 or later, which contains the necessary patches to properly handle non-existing file handles and validate directory entry states before processing. System administrators should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual patterns of application crashes or restarts that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing access controls that limit user ability to manipulate directory structures in ways that could trigger the vulnerability. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of file management operations to ensure that patched versions handle all edge cases properly. This vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation and error handling practices in file system utilities, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for denial of service and emphasizing the need for proper exception handling in system utilities. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security updates for critical file management tools.