CVE-2004-1185 in Enscript
Summary
by MITRE
Enscript 1.6.3 does not sanitize filenames, which allows remote attackers or local users to execute arbitrary commands via crafted filenames.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/30/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1185 resides within the Enscript document formatting tool version 1.6.3, representing a critical command injection flaw that stems from inadequate input sanitization. This issue affects the tool's handling of filenames, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary commands on systems where Enscript is installed. The vulnerability operates through a classic buffer overflow or command injection vector where crafted filenames are processed without proper validation or sanitization, allowing special characters and shell metacharacters to be interpreted as executable commands rather than literal file identifiers.
The technical implementation of this flaw occurs when Enscript processes filenames that contain shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks, which are typically used to chain commands or execute shell operations. When these characters are present in filenames without proper sanitization, the tool's filename processing logic fails to properly escape or validate the input before passing it to underlying system commands or shell interpreters. This creates a situation where an attacker can inject malicious shell commands that will execute with the privileges of the user running Enscript, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk across multiple threat scenarios including both remote and local attack vectors. Remote attackers can exploit this through web applications or services that utilize Enscript for document processing, while local users with access to the system can leverage the vulnerability to escalate privileges or execute unauthorized commands. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where Enscript might be used for document conversion or printing services, as it could allow an attacker to execute commands with elevated privileges or access sensitive system resources. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-78, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, making it a direct implementation of operating system command injection.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including privilege escalation and command execution, where adversaries leverage poorly sanitized inputs to gain unauthorized access to system resources. The attack surface extends to any application or service that relies on Enscript for file processing, particularly web applications that accept user-uploaded documents or file names, creating potential for widespread impact across various deployment scenarios. Organizations using Enscript in production environments face significant risk, especially those without proper input validation mechanisms in place to prevent such injection attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-1185 should focus on immediate patching of the Enscript tool to version 1.6.4 or later, which contains the necessary filename sanitization fixes. Additionally, system administrators should implement proper input validation and sanitization at all levels where Enscript is used, particularly in web applications or services that process user-provided filenames. The implementation of proper filename validation including character set restrictions, length limitations, and escape sequence handling should be enforced. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and privilege separation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, ensuring that Enscript processes run with minimal required privileges. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual command execution patterns and file processing activities that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation and sanitization in preventing command injection attacks, particularly in tools that interface with operating system commands and shell interpreters.