CVE-2004-1342 in CVS
Summary
by MITRE
CVS 1.12 and earlier on Debian GNU/Linux, when using the repouid patch, allows remote attackers to bypass authentication via the pserver access method.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1342 affects Concurrent Versions System versions 1.12 and earlier running on Debian GNU/Linux distributions that have implemented the repouid patch. This represents a critical security flaw in version control systems that can have significant operational implications for organizations relying on CVS for source code management. The vulnerability specifically targets the pserver access method, which is one of the primary protocols used for remote CVS operations and authentication.
The technical flaw stems from a weakness in the authentication mechanism of CVS when the repouid patch is enabled. The repouid patch modifies how CVS handles repository identifiers and user authentication, creating a scenario where remote attackers can exploit the system's authentication checks. This allows unauthorized individuals to bypass the normal authentication process and gain access to protected CVS repositories without proper credentials. The vulnerability specifically manifests when using the pserver protocol, which is designed to provide remote access to CVS repositories through a TCP-based server implementation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it directly compromises the security model of CVS repositories that are configured with the repouid patch. Organizations using affected versions of CVS may experience unauthorized access to source code repositories, potentially leading to code tampering, data leakage, or complete compromise of development environments. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows remote exploitation without requiring any prior authentication credentials, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to gain unauthorized access to software development assets. This type of authentication bypass can result in significant intellectual property exposure and operational disruption.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-1342 primarily involve upgrading to CVS versions that have addressed this authentication flaw, specifically versions newer than 1.12. Organizations should also consider disabling the repouid patch if it is not essential for their operations, or implementing additional network-level security controls such as firewall restrictions to limit access to CVS pserver ports. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues in software systems, and represents a classic example of how patch implementations can introduce new security weaknesses. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access and privilege escalation, as attackers can bypass authentication mechanisms to gain unauthorized access to sensitive repository data. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts to CVS repositories and maintain up-to-date security patches across all development infrastructure components.