CVE-2004-2610 in mntd
Summary
by MITRE
mntd_mount.c in mntd before 0.4.2 might allow local users to gain privileges via shell metacharacters in a remount option in the configuration file. note: it is not clear whether this is a vulnerability because there is not necessarily any common usage in which privilege boundaries are crossed. typical usage would restrict write access to the configuration file.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-2610 affects the mntd daemon software version 0.4.1 and earlier, specifically within the mntd_mount.c component responsible for handling mount operations. This issue represents a potential local privilege escalation vector that arises from inadequate input validation during configuration file processing. The flaw manifests when shell metacharacters are present in remount options specified within the configuration file, creating an environment where maliciously crafted input could be interpreted as shell commands rather than simple mount parameters.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the daemon's failure to properly sanitize or escape input values from the configuration file before processing them in shell contexts. When mntd processes mount options containing special shell characters such as semicolons, pipes, or command substitution operators, these metacharacters can be interpreted by the underlying shell execution engine, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the mntd process. This represents a classic command injection vulnerability that operates at the intersection of configuration file parsing and shell command execution.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability is constrained by the typical deployment models of mntd systems, which generally restrict write access to configuration files to authorized administrative users only. However, the vulnerability remains exploitable in scenarios where local users have the ability to modify configuration files, particularly in environments where privilege separation is not properly enforced. The attack vector requires local access and configuration file modification capabilities, but the potential for privilege escalation makes this a significant concern in multi-user environments where security boundaries are not properly maintained.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-78, which identifies improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with the ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter. The issue also reflects broader security principles regarding input validation and privilege separation, where the lack of proper sanitization creates opportunities for attackers to bypass intended access controls. While the vulnerability may not be prevalent in typical usage patterns due to restricted file permissions, it represents a dangerous condition that could be exploited in environments with less restrictive access controls or where privilege boundaries are not properly enforced. Organizations should implement proper input validation, restrict configuration file access, and ensure that daemon processes operate with minimal necessary privileges to mitigate this and similar vulnerabilities. The security implications extend beyond immediate privilege escalation to encompass broader system integrity concerns where configuration-based command execution creates persistent attack vectors.