CVE-2005-2958 in libgda2
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple format string vulnerabilities in the GNOME Data Access library for GNOME2 (libgda2) 1.2.1 and earlier allow attackers to execute arbitrary code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/11/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2958 represents a critical security flaw within the GNOME Data Access library version 1.2.1 and earlier releases. This library serves as a crucial component in the GNOME2 desktop environment, providing data access capabilities for various applications and database connections. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of format strings in the library's code implementation, creating opportunities for malicious actors to exploit these weaknesses and gain unauthorized system access. The affected library operates within the broader GNOME2 ecosystem, which was widely deployed across Linux and Unix-based systems during this period, making the vulnerability particularly concerning for system administrators and security professionals managing these environments.
Format string vulnerabilities occur when application code improperly processes user-supplied input that contains format specifiers such as %s, %d, or %x without proper validation or sanitization. In the case of libgda2, the vulnerability manifests when the library processes database queries or data formatting operations that incorporate user-provided data directly into format string functions without adequate input validation. This flaw allows attackers to inject malicious format specifiers that can manipulate the program's execution flow, potentially leading to stack smashing, memory corruption, or direct code execution. The vulnerability specifically affects the library's handling of data conversion and formatting operations, where it fails to properly validate or escape user input before processing it through standard C library functions like printf or sprintf.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges and compromise entire systems running vulnerable versions of GNOME2. When exploited successfully, these format string vulnerabilities can allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application process, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack vector typically involves crafting specially formatted database queries or data inputs that trigger the vulnerable code paths within libgda2, which then processes these inputs through insecure format string operations. This vulnerability affects not only the immediate application using the library but also creates potential for broader system exploitation since many GNOME2 applications rely on this data access functionality. The widespread adoption of GNOME2 in enterprise and desktop environments during this timeframe meant that exploitation could potentially affect numerous systems simultaneously.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate remediation through software updates and patches provided by the GNOME project and affected Linux distributions. System administrators should prioritize updating to libgda2 versions 1.2.2 or later, which contain fixes for the format string vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures within applications that use libgda2 can help reduce the attack surface, although this requires code-level modifications. Network segmentation and access controls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to limit potential exploitation. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-134, which specifically addresses format string vulnerabilities in software implementations, and represents a classic example of how insecure coding practices can create persistent security risks. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving code injection and privilege escalation, as attackers can leverage the format string flaws to execute arbitrary commands and potentially gain elevated system privileges. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime monitoring and anomaly detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts targeting this class of vulnerabilities.