CVE-2006-0576 in OProfile
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in opcontrol in OProfile 0.9.1 and earlier allows local users to execute arbitrary commands via a modified PATH that references malicious (1) which or (2) dirname programs. NOTE: while opcontrol normally is not run setuid, a common configuration suggests accessing opcontrol using sudo. In such a context, this is a vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/18/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-0576 represents a critical untrusted search path issue within the OProfile system profiling tool version 0.9.1 and earlier. This flaw exists in the opcontrol utility which is responsible for managing OProfile kernel profiling operations. The vulnerability manifests when the opcontrol utility processes user input through the PATH environment variable without properly validating or sanitizing the search paths. Attackers can exploit this weakness by manipulating the PATH variable to reference malicious versions of standard system utilities such as the 'which' or 'dirname' commands, thereby gaining unauthorized execution privileges within the system context.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the insecure handling of system command execution paths. When opcontrol executes commands, it does not properly isolate or validate the search paths used to locate executables, creating an opportunity for privilege escalation. The vulnerability specifically targets the PATH environment variable manipulation that allows attackers to inject malicious binaries with the same names as legitimate system utilities. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-426 category, which addresses the execution of untrusted code due to improper handling of search paths. The issue is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited even when opcontrol itself is not running with elevated privileges, as the vulnerability becomes exploitable through common sudo configurations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system compromise and unauthorized access to profiling data. When opcontrol is configured to be executed through sudo, the vulnerability transforms from a local privilege escalation issue into a more serious security threat that can be leveraged by attackers to gain elevated system privileges. This scenario is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where profiling tools are commonly used for performance monitoring and system analysis. The vulnerability can be exploited by local users to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the opcontrol utility, which may include access to sensitive system information and profiling data. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1068 (Local Privilege Escalation) and T1548.001 (Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism) as it exploits improper privilege control mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on proper PATH environment variable handling and privilege management. System administrators should ensure that opcontrol is not configured to run with elevated privileges unless absolutely necessary, and should implement proper PATH validation within the utility to prevent execution of malicious binaries. The recommended approach includes implementing absolute path references for all system commands, removing unnecessary executables from the PATH, and applying proper access controls to prevent unauthorized PATH manipulation. Additionally, regular updates to OProfile versions should be prioritized, as this vulnerability was addressed in later releases through improved path validation mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring and logging for sudo usage and PATH modifications to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of secure coding practices and proper privilege management in system utilities, particularly those involved in performance monitoring and system administration tasks.