CVE-2007-0227 in slocate
Summary
by MITRE
slocate 3.1 does not properly manage database entries that specify names of files in protected directories, which allows local users to obtain the names of private files. NOTE: another researcher reports that the issue is not present in slocate 2.7.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0227 affects slocate version 3.1, a file indexing utility designed to provide fast searching capabilities across file systems. This flaw represents a significant information disclosure issue that undermines the security assumptions of file system access controls and privilege separation. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of database entries that reference files located within protected directories, creating an unintended information leakage channel that exposes private file names to unauthorized local users.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the slocate database management system's failure to properly validate or sanitize file path entries during the indexing process. When slocate processes database entries that reference protected directories, it does not adequately enforce access controls or privilege checks that should normally prevent unauthorized access to sensitive file locations. This improper database entry management creates a scenario where local users can exploit the indexing mechanism to discover the names of private files that would normally be restricted by file system permissions or directory access controls. The flaw essentially bypasses the expected security boundaries that protect sensitive files from casual discovery by unauthorized users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with valuable reconnaissance data that can be leveraged for further exploitation. Local users who can access the slocate database can enumerate private file names, potentially identifying sensitive files such as configuration data, personal documents, or system files that might contain exploitable information. This information disclosure can facilitate more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation attempts, targeted malware deployment, or social engineering campaigns that rely on knowledge of specific file names. The vulnerability affects systems where slocate is used for file indexing and where local users have access to the database files, making it particularly concerning in multi-user environments or systems with compromised local accounts.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses "Information Disclosure" and specifically relates to improper handling of sensitive information within system components. The issue also connects to ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers "File and Directory Discovery" as an attacker reconnaissance method. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation and access control implementation that violates fundamental security principles. Organizations should prioritize updating to slocate version 2.7 or later, as noted by the researcher who identified that the issue does not exist in that version, since it represents a straightforward remediation path. Additionally, system administrators should implement proper access controls on slocate database files and consider alternative file indexing solutions that provide better security boundaries and privilege separation. Regular security audits should include verification of slocate database integrity and access permissions to prevent exploitation of similar flaws in other indexing utilities.