CVE-2008-3277 in ibutils
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in a certain Red Hat build script for the ibmssh executable in ibutils packages before ibutils-1.5.7-2.el6 in Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 6 and ibutils-1.2-11.2.el5 in Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 5 allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan Horse program in refix/lib/, related to an incorrect RPATH setting in the ELF header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/10/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-3277 represents a critical untrusted search path issue affecting Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems running specific versions of the ibutils package. This flaw exists within the build script responsible for creating the ibmssh executable, which is part of the InfiniBand utilities suite used for high-performance computing environments. The vulnerability specifically targets the RPATH setting in the ELF header of the executable, creating a path traversal risk that can be exploited by local attackers to execute malicious code with elevated privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of the RPATH attribute within the ELF binary header of the ibmssh executable. When the build script generates the ibutils package, it incorrectly configures the RPATH to include the refix/lib/ directory without proper validation or sanitization. This allows local users to place malicious libraries in this directory, which will then be loaded by the ibmssh executable when it runs. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-426 Untrusted Search Path, which directly maps to the ATT&CK technique T1068 Privilege Escalation through exploitation of trusted paths.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for systems running affected versions of Red Hat Enterprise Linux, particularly in high-security environments where InfiniBand networking is utilized. Local attackers who can write to the refix/lib/ directory can effectively bypass normal privilege boundaries by placing malicious shared libraries that will be executed with the elevated privileges of the ibmssh program. This creates a privilege escalation vector that could allow attackers to gain root access or execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges. The vulnerability affects both RHEL 5 and RHEL 6 platforms, making it relevant across multiple generations of the enterprise Linux distribution.
The exploitation process requires local access to the target system and the ability to write files to the specific directory path mentioned in the vulnerability. Attackers would place a malicious shared library in refix/lib/ that matches the expected interface of the legitimate libraries used by ibmssh, causing the system to load and execute the malicious code instead of the intended library. This type of attack is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where multiple users may have local access to systems, and where the ibmssh utility may be executed with elevated privileges for network management tasks. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper build-time security practices and the dangers of insecure RPATH configurations in system binaries.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve updating to patched versions of the ibutils package, specifically ibutils-1.5.7-2.el6 for RHEL 6 and ibutils-1.2-11.2.el5 for RHEL 5, which correct the RPATH configuration in the build process. System administrators should also implement proper file system permissions to restrict write access to the refix/lib/ directory and related system directories. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unauthorized modifications to critical system libraries, and the principle of least privilege should be enforced to limit local user access to system directories. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security updates across all affected systems. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices in build scripts and the potential for seemingly minor configuration issues to create significant security risks in enterprise computing environments.