CVE-2005-4791 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple untrusted search path vulnerabilities in SUSE Linux 10.0 cause the working directory to be added to LD_LIBRARY_PATH, which might allow local users to execute arbitrary code via (1) liferea or (2) banshee.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/07/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4791 represents a critical untrusted search path issue affecting SUSE Linux 10.0 systems where the working directory is inadvertently added to the LD_LIBRARY_PATH environment variable. This flaw stems from improper handling of library loading mechanisms during application execution, creating a dangerous privilege escalation vector for local attackers. The vulnerability specifically impacts two applications: liferea, a news aggregator, and banshee, a media player, both of which are commonly installed on desktop systems. The root cause lies in the applications' failure to properly sanitize their environment variables before executing library loading operations, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the dynamic linker's library search order through carefully crafted working directories.
This vulnerability operates under the principles of CWE-426 Untrusted Search Path, which describes how applications that search for libraries in untrusted directories can be exploited to load malicious code. The flaw enables attackers to place malicious shared libraries in the current working directory, which the applications will then load instead of legitimate system libraries. The attack vector is particularly insidious because it requires no network access or special privileges beyond local system access, making it a classic local privilege escalation vulnerability. When users execute these applications from compromised directories, the system loads attacker-controlled libraries, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the executing user.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can be leveraged to establish persistent access to compromised systems. Attackers can exploit this weakness by placing malicious libraries in directories where users frequently run liferea or banshee, creating a stealthy backdoor mechanism that operates within normal application behavior. The vulnerability affects the broader Linux ecosystem by demonstrating how desktop applications can inadvertently create security holes through improper environment variable handling. This flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through untrusted library loading, and represents a common attack pattern in the exploitation of desktop applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include implementing proper environment variable sanitization within applications, ensuring that LD_LIBRARY_PATH is not modified by untrusted working directories, and using secure library loading practices. System administrators should consider updating to patched versions of SUSE Linux 10.0 or applying security patches that address the untrusted search path issue. Additionally, implementing mandatory access controls and privilege separation mechanisms can help contain the impact of such vulnerabilities. The recommended approach involves modifying applications to explicitly set LD_LIBRARY_PATH to trusted directories only, preventing automatic inclusion of current working directories in library search paths. Organizations should also implement regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and ensure that security patches are applied promptly to prevent exploitation.