CVE-2005-2655 in maildrop
Summary
by MITRE
lockmail in maildrop before 1.5.3 does not drop privileges before executing commands, which allows local users to gain privileges via command line arguments.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2655 affects the lockmail utility within maildrop versions prior to 1.5.3, presenting a critical privilege escalation risk for local attackers. This flaw resides in the improper handling of privilege management during command execution, creating a pathway for unauthorized users to elevate their system permissions. The vulnerability specifically targets the lockmail component which is designed to manage mail locking mechanisms but fails to properly relinquish elevated privileges before invoking external commands. This design oversight creates a fundamental security gap that directly violates secure coding principles and privilege separation best practices.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the lockmail utility's failure to drop root privileges before executing command line arguments. When lockmail processes user input through command line parameters, it maintains elevated privileges throughout the execution chain, allowing malicious input to be interpreted and executed with root-level permissions. This behavior represents a classic privilege escalation vector where the application fails to implement proper privilege separation mechanisms. The flaw aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper privilege management, and demonstrates how inadequate access control can lead to unauthorized system compromise. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious command line arguments that, when processed by the vulnerable lockmail utility, execute with elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential full system compromise and persistent access. Local users who can execute the lockmail utility with elevated privileges can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with root permissions, potentially leading to complete system takeover. The vulnerability affects systems where maildrop is installed and where local users have the ability to interact with the lockmail utility, creating a widespread attack surface. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in multi-user environments where local privilege escalation can provide attackers with persistent access to system resources and data. The impact is consistent with ATT&CK technique T1068, which describes privilege escalation through the exploitation of system vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-2655 require immediate remediation through software updates to maildrop version 1.5.3 or later, which contains the necessary privilege dropping functionality. Organizations should also implement proper privilege separation mechanisms in their system configurations and conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify similar privilege management flaws in other applications. System administrators should ensure that all applications properly implement privilege dropping before executing external commands, following the principle of least privilege and secure coding practices. Additionally, monitoring and logging of command execution activities can help detect exploitation attempts, while network segmentation and access controls can limit the potential impact of successful privilege escalation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of regular security updates and the critical need for proper privilege management in system utilities that handle user input.