CVE-2007-6328 in DOSBox
Summary
by MITRE
** DISPUTED ** DOSBox 0.72 and earlier allows local users to obtain access to the filesystem on the host operating system via the mount command. NOTE: the researcher reports a vendor response stating that this is not a security problem.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/08/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-6328 pertains to DOSBox version 0.72 and earlier, a popular DOS emulator software that allows users to run legacy DOS applications on modern operating systems. This issue arises from a design flaw in how the emulator handles the mount command functionality, which is used to map directories from the host operating system into the DOS emulation environment. The vulnerability exists within the software's file system access controls and represents a potential security concern that could allow local users to gain unauthorized access to the host system's file structure.
The technical flaw manifests through the mount command implementation where DOSBox fails to properly validate or restrict file system paths that are being mounted into the virtual environment. When a local user executes a malicious mount command, the emulator does not adequately sanitize the input or enforce proper access controls, potentially allowing the user to traverse and access files on the host system that should remain isolated from the DOS environment. This represents a classic path traversal vulnerability where the boundaries between the emulated environment and the host system become blurred, creating an unintended access vector that could expose sensitive system files, configuration data, or user information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it fundamentally undermines the security isolation that DOSBox is designed to maintain between the emulated DOS environment and the underlying host operating system. Attackers could potentially access system configuration files, user documents, or even execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the DOSBox emulator. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in multi-user environments or when DOSBox is used with elevated privileges, as it could enable privilege escalation or data exfiltration attacks. This flaw directly relates to CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-73 Path Traversal, which are well-documented weaknesses in file system access control mechanisms.
Security practitioners should note that despite the vendor's response dismissing this as a non-security problem, the vulnerability still represents a legitimate concern for system administrators who rely on DOSBox for legitimate emulation purposes. The potential for local privilege escalation and information disclosure makes this a significant issue that requires careful consideration, particularly in environments where multiple users share the same system or where DOSBox is used in production environments. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it involves executing commands that can be used to manipulate file system access, and T1078 Valid Accounts, since the access is gained through legitimate user accounts with appropriate privileges.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching to the latest version of DOSBox where this vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and access control enforcement. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security measures such as running DOSBox with reduced privileges, implementing network segmentation, and monitoring for suspicious mount command usage. Organizations that cannot immediately upgrade should consider restricting user access to the mount command functionality within DOSBox, implementing proper file system permissions, and establishing logging mechanisms to detect unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and access control enforcement in emulated environments where isolation between virtual and host systems is critical for maintaining security boundaries.