CVE-2006-1166 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Monotone 0.25 and earlier, when a user creates a file in a directory called "mt", and when checking out that file on a case-insensitive file system such as Windows or Mac OS X, places the file into the "MT" bookkeeping directory, which could allow context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary Lua programs as the user running monotone.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-1166 represents a critical security flaw in the Monotone version control system affecting releases 0.25 and earlier. This issue stems from inadequate handling of directory naming conventions on case-insensitive file systems, creating a path traversal scenario that can be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability specifically manifests when users create files within directories named "mt" and subsequently check out these files on operating systems where file system case insensitivity is prevalent. The flaw exploits the fundamental mismatch between how Monotone manages directory structures and how case-insensitive file systems interpret directory names, leading to unintended file placement within the system's bookkeeping directories.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a directory traversal attack vector that leverages the case-insensitive nature of file systems commonly found on Windows and Mac OS X platforms. When Monotone processes file operations in directories named "mt", the system fails to properly distinguish between lowercase and uppercase directory references, causing files to be incorrectly placed in the "MT" bookkeeping directory. This misplacement occurs because the version control system does not adequately sanitize or normalize directory names during file operations, allowing attackers to manipulate the file system structure to execute arbitrary Lua code within the context of the running Monotone process. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-22 as a directory traversal attack, specifically manifesting as improper input validation in file system operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary Lua programs with the privileges of the user running the Monotone process. This creates a potential for privilege escalation and remote code execution scenarios, particularly in environments where Monotone is used for collaborative software development and version control. Attackers can craft specific file names and directory structures that, when checked out on case-insensitive systems, trigger the execution of malicious Lua scripts embedded within the Monotone configuration or repository data. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where the Monotone process might be running with elevated privileges, as it could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive code repositories and potentially compromise entire development infrastructures. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Lua-based command and scripting interpreter execution.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of Monotone installations to versions that properly handle case-insensitive file system operations and implement proper directory name validation. System administrators should ensure that all Monotone installations are updated to versions that address this directory traversal flaw, as the vulnerability cannot be effectively mitigated through configuration changes alone. Additionally, organizations should implement strict file naming conventions and directory management policies to prevent the creation of directories that could trigger this behavior. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect anomalous file system operations that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of considering file system characteristics during software development, particularly for applications that operate across multiple platform environments.