CVE-2006-6979 in Amarok
Summary
by MITRE
The ruby handlers in the Magnatune component in Amarok do not properly quote text in certain contexts, probably including construction of an unzip command line, which allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-6979 represents a critical command injection flaw within the Magnatune component of the Amarok media player software. This security weakness stems from inadequate input sanitization in the ruby handlers that process audio metadata and file operations. The flaw specifically manifests when the software constructs command line arguments for system utilities, particularly during the extraction of compressed audio files. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by embedding shell metacharacters within audio file tags or metadata fields that are subsequently processed by the ruby handlers. The improper quoting of text in command line construction creates an environment where malicious input can be interpreted as shell commands rather than data, enabling arbitrary code execution on the target system.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-78, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, and CWE-88, which addresses improper neutralization of argument separators in a command. The attack vector leverages the principle of command injection where user-controllable data flows into system command execution contexts without proper sanitization. The Magnatune component in Amarok processes audio files from various sources including online music stores, making it susceptible to exploitation through maliciously crafted audio files or metadata. The ruby handlers, which are designed to parse and process metadata from these files, fail to properly escape or quote text that will be used in shell command construction, creating a direct pathway for privilege escalation and system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including data exfiltration, system enumeration, privilege escalation, and persistence establishment. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the Amarok process, which typically runs with the user's permissions. This allows for reconnaissance activities such as network scanning, file system enumeration, and potentially the installation of backdoors or additional malware. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where users might download music from untrusted sources, as the attack can occur silently during normal media playback operations without user awareness. The exploit requires minimal technical skill to execute, making it attractive to threat actors seeking automated or semi-automated attacks against vulnerable systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-6979 should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization techniques within the ruby handlers. The most effective approach involves implementing strict escaping or quoting mechanisms for all text that will be used in shell command construction, ensuring that special characters are properly neutralized before command execution. Organizations should also consider implementing input validation at multiple layers, including the application level and system level, to prevent malicious data from reaching the vulnerable code paths. The recommended solution includes using parameterized command execution where possible, avoiding direct shell command construction from user input, and implementing proper privilege separation where the application does not run with elevated system privileges. Additionally, regular updates and patches should be applied to ensure that the software remains protected against known vulnerabilities, and security monitoring should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell, though the specific technique applies to any shell command execution. System administrators should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems and application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized command execution on systems running vulnerable versions of Amarok.