CVE-2006-2147 in resmgr
Summary
by MITRE
resmgrd in resmgr for SUSE Linux and other distributions does not properly handle when access to a USB device is granted by using "usb:<bus>,<dev>" notation, which grants access to all USB devices and allows local users to bypass intended restrictions. NOTE: this is a different vulnerability than CVE-2005-4788.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/11/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2147 affects the resmgrd service component within the resource manager framework of SUSE Linux and related distributions. This flaw resides in how the system processes USB device access permissions when utilizing the specific "usb:<bus>,<dev>" notation format. The resource manager service is responsible for managing hardware resources and access controls within the operating system, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for system security and privilege management.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and access control enforcement within the resmgrd daemon. When administrators or system processes specify USB device access using the "usb:<bus>,<dev>" syntax, the system fails to properly parse and restrict the device identifiers. This parsing error results in the system interpreting the notation as granting access to all USB devices on the system rather than the specific device intended. The flaw represents a classic privilege escalation vector where local users can exploit this misconfiguration to gain unauthorized access to USB hardware resources that should be restricted.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple access bypass as it fundamentally undermines the security model of USB device management. Local users who can execute commands with sufficient privileges to interact with the resource manager service can leverage this flaw to access any USB device connected to the system. This creates potential for data exfiltration, device manipulation, and could enable further attacks through compromised USB peripherals. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where users might not have legitimate access to all USB devices but can exploit this flaw to circumvent access controls.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-264, which addresses permissions, privileges, and access controls, specifically focusing on inadequate access control mechanisms. The flaw also relates to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' and T1059, covering 'Command and Scripting Interpreter' as attackers may use this to execute commands on compromised USB devices. The issue demonstrates how improper input handling can lead to broader security implications, particularly in resource management systems where device access controls are critical. Organizations should implement proper access control lists and ensure that all USB device access requests are properly validated against intended device specifications rather than allowing broad device access through flawed notation parsing.
The mitigation strategy requires administrators to update to patched versions of the resource manager components and to review all existing USB access policies. System administrators should also implement monitoring for unusual USB device access patterns and ensure that the resource manager service properly validates all device access requests before granting permissions. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing additional security controls such as USB device whitelisting and regular security audits of resource manager configurations to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.