CVE-2006-1844 in installer
Summary
by MITRE
The Debian installer for the (1) shadow 4.0.14 and (2) base-config 2.53.10 packages includes sensitive information in world-readable log files, including preseeded passwords and pppoeconf passwords, which might allow local users to gain privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/06/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-1844 represents a critical security flaw in the Debian installer ecosystem that persisted in shadow package version 4.0.14 and base-config package version 2.53.10. This issue stems from improper handling of sensitive data during the system installation process, creating persistent security risks that could be exploited by local attackers. The vulnerability specifically affects the Debian installation procedure where preseeded configuration data containing authentication credentials is written to log files with excessive permissions. The root cause lies in the installer's failure to properly secure sensitive information during the bootstrapping phase of system deployment, creating a window of opportunity for privilege escalation attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the Debian installer writing preseeded passwords and pppoeconf passwords to world-readable log files without adequate access control measures. This flaw directly maps to CWE-200, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor, and CWE-732, which covers inadequate permissions for critical resources. The installer components fail to implement proper file permission controls during log file creation, allowing any local user to access these sensitive configuration files through standard file system operations. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental breakdown in the principle of least privilege during system initialization, where sensitive authentication data is stored in accessible locations without proper encryption or access restriction mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, creating significant privilege escalation opportunities for local attackers who can leverage the exposed passwords to gain unauthorized system access. Attackers with local shell access can simply browse the world-readable log files to extract preseeded credentials and use them to authenticate as system users or gain root privileges. This vulnerability particularly affects systems that utilize automated installation methods with preseeded configurations, making it a serious concern for enterprise deployments and environments where security is paramount. The impact is amplified in multi-user environments where local access might be more easily obtained, and the vulnerability remains exploitable across multiple Debian versions and installation scenarios.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including reviewing and correcting file permissions on installer log files, ensuring that sensitive data is written to appropriately secured locations with restrictive access controls. System administrators should configure the installer to either avoid logging sensitive information or to encrypt such data before storage. The remediation process should involve verifying that log files containing authentication credentials are not world-readable and that proper access control lists are implemented. Additionally, security teams should consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts to sensitive log files, as outlined in the attack patterns described in the ATT&CK framework under T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential access. Regular security audits of installation procedures and configuration management processes should be conducted to prevent similar issues in future deployments and to ensure compliance with security standards such as NIST SP 800-53 controls for system configuration management and access control.