CVE-2005-2948 in killprocess
Summary
by MITRE
killprocess 2.20 and earlier allows local users to bypass kill list restrictions by launching multiple processes at the same time which are not all killed by killprocess.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2948 affects killprocess version 2.20 and earlier, representing a significant security flaw in process management and access control mechanisms. This issue stems from a design weakness in how the killprocess utility handles concurrent process termination, specifically within its kill list restriction enforcement system. The vulnerability operates at the kernel or system level where process management controls are implemented, creating a bypass mechanism that undermines the intended security posture of the software.
The technical flaw manifests when multiple processes are launched simultaneously, exploiting a race condition or timing vulnerability in the killprocess execution logic. The system fails to properly track or manage all concurrently running processes during the kill operation, allowing some processes to escape the intended restrictions. This behavior creates a window where unauthorized processes can persist despite the killprocess attempting to terminate them. The vulnerability is classified as a weakness in process control and access restriction enforcement, aligning with CWE-362 which addresses race conditions in concurrent systems and CWE-284 which covers improper access control mechanisms.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents a serious risk to system security and integrity, particularly in environments where process monitoring and control are critical for maintaining security boundaries. Local users can exploit this flaw to maintain persistent access to system resources, potentially enabling further malicious activities or privilege escalation attempts. The impact extends beyond simple process termination bypass, as it represents a fundamental flaw in the system's ability to enforce access controls and maintain process isolation. This vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in multi-user environments or systems where process monitoring is essential for security auditing and compliance requirements.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-2948 should prioritize immediate patching of the killprocess utility to version 2.21 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to address the concurrent process handling issue. System administrators should implement additional monitoring and alerting mechanisms to detect anomalous process behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The solution involves strengthening the process management logic to properly account for all concurrent processes during kill operations, ensuring that no process can escape termination through timing or race condition exploits. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments of their process management systems and consider implementing additional access control layers to reduce the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. This remediation aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and persistence through process manipulation, emphasizing the importance of robust access control enforcement in system security architectures.