CVE-2006-7191 in LDAP Account Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in lamdaemon.pl in LDAP Account Manager (LAM) before 1.0.0 allows local users to gain privileges via a modified PATH that points to a malicious rm program.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-7191 represents a critical untrusted search path weakness in the LDAP Account Manager (LAM) software, specifically within the lamdaemon.pl component. This flaw exists in versions prior to 1.0.0 and creates a significant security risk that can be exploited by local attackers to escalate their privileges. The vulnerability stems from the improper handling of the system PATH environment variable, which is commonly used by Unix-like operating systems to locate executable files. When lamdaemon.pl executes system commands without properly sanitizing or validating the PATH variable, it becomes susceptible to malicious path manipulation attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the exploitation of the PATH search order behavior in Unix systems where the system searches for executables in the order specified by the PATH environment variable. When lamdaemon.pl does not explicitly specify full paths to system utilities or when it relies on the default PATH resolution, a local attacker can manipulate the environment to place a malicious version of the rm program at a location that gets searched before the legitimate system binary. This allows the attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the lamdaemon.pl process, which typically runs with elevated permissions due to its role in managing LDAP account information. The flaw aligns with CWE-428, which describes the weakness of using untrusted search paths, and demonstrates how improper environment variable handling can lead to privilege escalation attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it provides local attackers with a straightforward method to gain elevated privileges on systems running vulnerable versions of LAM. Since lamdaemon.pl typically operates with administrative privileges to manage user accounts and directory services, successful exploitation could allow attackers to modify or delete critical account information, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack vector requires only local access and knowledge of the PATH manipulation technique, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users have access to the system. This vulnerability directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers privilege escalation through local exploitation of system vulnerabilities, and represents a classic example of how insecure programming practices can create persistent security weaknesses in system management tools.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include upgrading to LAM version 1.0.0 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the untrusted search path issue. Administrators should also implement proper PATH sanitization within the lamdaemon.pl script by explicitly defining full paths to all system utilities instead of relying on the default PATH resolution. Additional protective measures include running the lamdaemon.pl process with the principle of least privilege, implementing proper file permissions and ownership controls, and conducting regular security audits of system management scripts. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect suspicious PATH modifications and ensure that system integrity is maintained through proper access controls and privilege management practices. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices and proper environment variable handling in system administration tools.