CVE-2005-3254 in CGIwrap
Summary
by MITRE
The CGIwrap program before 3.9 on Debian GNU/Linux uses an incorrect minimum value of 100 for a UID to determine whether it can perform a seteuid operation, which could allow attackers to execute code as other system UIDs that are greater than the minimum value, which should be 1000 on Debian systems.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/12/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3254 affects the CGIwrap program version 3.8 and earlier on Debian GNU/Linux systems, representing a critical privilege escalation flaw that exploits improper user identity validation mechanisms. This vulnerability stems from a fundamental design error in the program's access control implementation where it incorrectly validates user identifiers during seteuid operations. The flaw specifically manifests when the program checks whether a user ID meets the minimum threshold required for privilege escalation, using an arbitrary value of 100 instead of the correct system standard of 1000 for Debian environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the CGIwrap program's uid validation logic, which operates under the assumption that any user with a UID greater than 100 should be permitted to execute seteuid operations. This validation mechanism fails to properly account for the Debian-specific UID assignment policies where system users typically begin at UID 1000, while regular user accounts start at 1000 or higher. The program's flawed validation creates a security boundary that allows attackers to bypass intended access controls by leveraging accounts with UIDs between 100 and 999, which are typically reserved for system processes but may be occupied by legitimate user accounts in certain configurations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables attackers to escalate privileges from regular user accounts to other system UIDs that exceed the incorrect minimum threshold of 100. This privilege escalation capability allows malicious actors to execute code with elevated privileges, potentially gaining access to system resources, modifying critical files, or establishing persistent access. The vulnerability particularly affects web server environments where CGIwrap is commonly used to execute CGI scripts, creating a pathway for remote attackers to compromise web applications and underlying system infrastructure. The attack vector typically involves exploiting web applications that utilize CGIwrap for script execution, where attackers can manipulate input parameters to trigger the vulnerable uid validation logic.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control mechanisms, and represents a classic example of insecure privilege management. The issue demonstrates how improper validation of system parameters can create security weaknesses that bypass intended access controls. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques, specifically T1068, where adversaries exploit weaknesses in system access controls to gain elevated privileges. The vulnerability also reflects poor input validation practices and inadequate system configuration management, as the program fails to properly recognize the Debian-specific UID assignment standards that govern user account creation and privilege boundaries.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves updating to CGIwrap version 3.9 or later, which correctly implements the minimum UID value of 1000 for Debian systems. System administrators should also conduct comprehensive audits of user account assignments to ensure that legitimate system accounts are properly configured with UIDs of 1000 or higher. Additional protective measures include implementing proper access controls for CGI script execution, utilizing privilege separation mechanisms, and monitoring for unauthorized privilege escalation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and application firewalls to limit the attack surface and prevent exploitation of such vulnerabilities in web server environments.