CVE-2006-0681 in Power Daemon
Summary
by MITRE
Format string vulnerability in powerd.c in Power Daemon (powerd) 2.0.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via format string specifiers in the WHATIDO variable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-0681 represents a critical format string vulnerability within the Power Daemon (powerd) software version 2.0.2 and earlier. This flaw exists in the powerd.c source file and specifically impacts the handling of the WHATIDO variable, which is processed without proper input validation or sanitization. The vulnerability arises from the daemon's insecure use of format string functions, creating an opportunity for remote attackers to manipulate the application's behavior through carefully crafted input. The Power Daemon is typically responsible for managing power-related operations on systems, making this vulnerability particularly concerning as it could potentially be exploited to gain unauthorized control over system power management functions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the powerd daemon processes the WHATIDO variable without proper format string validation, allowing attackers to inject format specifiers that can trigger undefined behavior in the application's memory management. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-134, which specifically addresses the use of format strings in a manner that allows attackers to control the format string arguments. The flaw enables attackers to perform memory read and write operations, potentially leading to stack smashing, information disclosure, or arbitrary code execution. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to overwrite critical memory locations, inject malicious code, or manipulate the execution flow of the daemon process, ultimately compromising the affected system's integrity and security posture.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to systems running vulnerable versions of the Power Daemon, particularly in environments where remote access is possible or where the daemon is configured to accept input from untrusted sources. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to potentially enable privilege escalation if the powerd daemon runs with elevated privileges. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the compromised system. The attack surface is particularly broad since the vulnerability allows remote code execution, meaning that attackers do not need local access to exploit the flaw, making it a high-severity issue for networked systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with the vendor-provided security updates. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to systems running powerd, particularly where the daemon is exposed to untrusted networks. Input validation and sanitization measures should be implemented to prevent format string specifiers from being processed in the WHATIDO variable. Additionally, system administrators should monitor for unusual power management activities that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input handling in daemon processes and highlights the need for regular security assessments of system services. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability pattern, as format string vulnerabilities often exhibit characteristic memory access patterns that can be detected through behavioral analysis.