CVE-2005-4442 in openldap
Summary
by MITRE
untrusted search path vulnerability in openldap before 2.2.28-r3 on gentoo linux allows local users in the portage group to gain privileges via a malicious shared object in the portage temporary build directory which is part of the runpath.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/07/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4442 represents a critical untrusted search path issue affecting OpenLDAP versions prior to 2.2.28-r3 on Gentoo Linux systems. This flaw resides in the way the software handles dynamic library loading within its execution environment, creating a privilege escalation vector that can be exploited by local users with specific group membership. The vulnerability specifically targets the runtime library search path mechanism, where the system searches for required shared libraries in a predetermined order that includes potentially compromised directories. The attack surface is expanded by the inclusion of the portage temporary build directory in the runpath, which is a directory typically used for building software packages and is accessible to users in the portage group.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of the LD_LIBRARY_PATH environment variable and the default library search order used by the dynamic linker. When OpenLDAP executes with elevated privileges, it loads shared libraries from directories specified in its runpath, including the portage temporary build directory. This directory, which contains build artifacts and temporary files created during package compilation processes, can be manipulated by users with portage group membership. The flaw allows these users to place malicious shared objects with the same names as legitimate libraries, causing the system to load the attacker-controlled code instead of the intended library. This type of vulnerability is classified as CWE-426 Untrusted Search Path, which directly maps to the category of privilege escalation vulnerabilities that exploit insecure library loading practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables local users with portage group membership to escalate their privileges to the level of the OpenLDAP service. This privilege escalation occurs because OpenLDAP typically runs with elevated privileges to perform administrative functions such as managing directory services and accessing protected system resources. When a malicious shared object is loaded through the compromised search path, the attacker-controlled code executes with the same privileges as the OpenLDAP process, potentially allowing access to sensitive data, modification of directory entries, or even complete system compromise. The attack requires minimal privileges to execute since portage group membership is typically granted to users who need to build software packages, making the vulnerability particularly concerning in environments where package management is common.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-4442 should focus on eliminating the insecure search path configuration and implementing proper privilege separation mechanisms. The primary remediation involves removing the portage temporary build directory from the library search path and ensuring that OpenLDAP only loads libraries from trusted system directories such as /lib and /usr/lib. System administrators should also implement proper file permissions on the portage build directories to prevent unauthorized users from placing malicious files within them. Additionally, the use of secure library loading practices such as setting the LD_LIBRARY_PATH explicitly to trusted directories only, or using the secure execution model that prevents loading of libraries from untrusted paths. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 Privilege Escalation through the use of insecure library loading and path manipulation, which is a common vector for attackers seeking to escalate privileges in Unix-like systems. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring for unauthorized changes to library paths and regular security audits of system configurations to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced through package management processes.