CVE-2008-3067 in openSUSE
Summary
by MITRE
sudo in SUSE openSUSE 10.3 does not clear the stdin buffer when password entry times out, which might allow local users to obtain a password by reading stdin from the parent process after a sudo child process exits.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/30/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-3067 represents a critical security flaw in the sudo command implementation within SUSE openSUSE 10.3 operating system. This issue specifically targets the password input handling mechanism during sudo authentication processes, creating a potential pathway for unauthorized credential access. The flaw manifests when the sudo command encounters a timeout during password entry, failing to properly clear the standard input buffer. This technical oversight creates a persistent security risk that directly impacts the integrity of the authentication process.
The core technical flaw involves the improper handling of stdin buffer management within the sudo command's execution flow. When a user attempts to execute a privileged command through sudo and the password entry times out, the system should clear all input data from the standard input stream to prevent subsequent access to the entered credentials. However, in this vulnerable implementation, the stdin buffer retains the password information, allowing local processes to potentially read and extract the credential data from the parent process's input stream. This behavior constitutes a direct violation of proper input sanitization protocols and creates an exploitable condition for credential theft.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to system security and integrity. Local users who have access to the system can potentially exploit this flaw to obtain passwords that were previously entered for sudo authentication. The attack vector requires minimal privileges since it targets existing authentication mechanisms rather than requiring additional access rights. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security model of sudo, which relies on proper credential handling to maintain privileged access control. This weakness undermines the trust model that sudo establishes between users and system administrators, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access to sensitive system resources.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-254, which addresses security weaknesses related to improper handling of sensitive data, and specifically relates to CWE-312, which deals with the exposure of sensitive information through improper data clearing. Additionally, this flaw maps to ATT&CK technique T1555.004, which covers credential access through the exploitation of credential dumping techniques, as attackers can potentially extract password information from process memory or input buffers. The security implications extend beyond simple credential theft to encompass potential privilege escalation scenarios where attackers might use obtained credentials to access additional system resources or escalate their access level within the compromised environment.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input buffer clearing mechanisms and ensuring that all sensitive data is securely handled during authentication processes. System administrators should immediately update their sudo implementations to versions that properly clear stdin buffers upon timeout events. The recommended approach includes applying security patches from SUSE that address this specific buffer clearing flaw, implementing monitoring for unauthorized access attempts, and conducting regular security audits to identify similar vulnerabilities in other system components. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing additional authentication layers and access controls to reduce the attack surface and minimize the potential impact of such credential exposure vulnerabilities.