CVE-2005-3629 in Red Hat
Summary
by MITRE
initscripts in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4 does not properly handle certain environment variables when /sbin/service is executed, which allows local users with sudo permissions for /sbin/service to gain root privileges via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3629 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the initscripts package of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4 systems. This issue specifically affects how the system handles environment variables during the execution of the /sbin/service command, creating a pathway for local attackers with sudo permissions to elevate their privileges to root level access. The flaw exists in the fundamental service management infrastructure that governs how system services are started, stopped, and managed across the enterprise Linux environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper environment variable handling within the initscripts framework. When users execute commands through the /sbin/service interface with sudo privileges, the system fails to properly sanitize or validate the environment variables that are passed through to underlying service management processes. This creates a condition where maliciously crafted environment variables can be leveraged to influence the execution context of critical system components. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of privilege management and environment variable propagation, allowing attackers to manipulate the execution environment in ways that bypass normal security controls.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to enterprise security environments where sudo permissions are granted to multiple users. The flaw essentially allows any user with sudo access to /sbin/service to gain complete system control without requiring additional authentication mechanisms. This represents a fundamental breakdown in the principle of least privilege, as the vulnerability enables privilege escalation through legitimate system management interfaces. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it leverages existing legitimate administrative capabilities to achieve unauthorized root access.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate system updates and configuration hardening. System administrators must apply the relevant security patches provided by Red Hat to address the specific initscripts vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should implement strict sudo rule configurations that limit the ability to execute the /sbin/service command with elevated privileges. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by restricting sudo permissions to only those users who absolutely require them for their operational duties. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns of service management activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper privilege management, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers privilege escalation through the exploitation of system vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing privileged access management solutions to further control and monitor access to critical system management interfaces.