CVE-2006-1865 in Beagle
Summary
by MITRE
Argument injection vulnerability in Beagle before 0.2.5 allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands via crafted filenames that inject command line arguments when Beagle launches external helper applications while indexing.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/12/2021
The CVE-2006-1865 vulnerability represents a critical argument injection flaw in the Beagle desktop search application prior to version 0.2.5. This vulnerability operates at the core of how Beagle handles file naming conventions during its indexing process, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary commands on affected systems. The flaw emerges from insufficient input validation mechanisms within Beagle's argument parsing logic when it interacts with external helper applications during file indexing operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from Beagle's failure to properly sanitize user-provided filenames before incorporating them into command line arguments for external processes. When Beagle encounters files with specially crafted names containing shell metacharacters or command separators, these elements can be interpreted as actual command arguments rather than literal filename characters. This occurs because Beagle directly concatenates user input into system command invocations without proper escaping or sanitization measures, creating a classic command injection vector that aligns with CWE-77 principles.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution, as it provides attackers with the ability to perform arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running Beagle. This presents a significant risk for desktop environments where Beagle is configured to index user directories containing potentially malicious content. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by creating specially crafted filenames that, when indexed by Beagle, trigger the execution of unauthorized commands on the system. The attack surface is particularly concerning in multi-user environments where Beagle's indexing capabilities may process files from untrusted sources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-1865 require immediate patching of Beagle installations to version 0.2.5 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and argument escaping mechanisms. Organizations should also implement additional security controls such as restricting Beagle's indexing scope to trusted directories only, disabling indexing of potentially malicious file types, and monitoring system logs for suspicious command executions. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to technique T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) as it enables adversaries to execute commands through legitimate system interfaces. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and the principle of least privilege in application design, particularly for tools that interact with system-level processes and external applications.