CVE-2010-0746 in Fedora
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in DeviceKit-disks in DeviceKit, as used in Fedora 11 and 12 and possibly other operating systems, allows local users to gain privileges via .. (dot dot) sequences in the label for a pluggable storage device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0746 represents a directory traversal flaw within DeviceKit-disks, a component of the DeviceKit framework that manages hardware devices on Linux systems. This issue affects Fedora 11 and 12 distributions and potentially other operating systems utilizing the same software stack. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation when processing device labels for pluggable storage devices, creating a path traversal condition that can be exploited by local attackers to access restricted system resources. The flaw specifically manifests when the system processes label information containing .. (dot dot) sequences that are typically used to navigate up directory levels in file systems. This directory traversal vulnerability enables attackers to manipulate file paths and potentially access files or directories outside the intended scope of device management operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the DeviceKit-disks component which handles storage device management and labeling operations. When a pluggable storage device is connected to the system, DeviceKit-disks processes the device label to determine how to mount or manage the device. The flaw arises because the system does not properly sanitize or validate the label content before using it in file system operations. Attackers can craft malicious labels containing .. sequences that, when processed by the vulnerable code, cause the system to traverse directories beyond the intended boundaries. This allows privilege escalation from a regular user to a higher privilege level, potentially enabling access to sensitive system files, configuration data, or other restricted resources that should only be accessible to system administrators or privileged processes.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-0746 is significant for systems running affected versions of DeviceKit, particularly those in multi-user environments where local privilege escalation represents a serious security concern. A local attacker with minimal privileges can exploit this vulnerability to gain elevated access to system resources that would normally be restricted. The vulnerability's exploitation requires physical access to the target system or the ability to execute code locally, but once exploited, it can provide attackers with access to sensitive system information, potentially allowing them to modify critical system files, escalate privileges further, or access confidential data. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure to include potential system compromise and privilege escalation that could lead to full system control. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and represents a classic path traversal attack vector that has been consistently identified in various software components over many years.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on both immediate patching and operational security measures. The primary solution involves updating to patched versions of DeviceKit that properly validate and sanitize device labels before processing them in file system operations. System administrators should prioritize applying the relevant security updates from their distribution vendors, particularly those addressing DeviceKit-disks components. Additionally, implementing proper input validation controls at the application level can help prevent similar issues in other software components. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring and alerting for unusual device mounting activities or file system access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of validating all user-supplied input, including device labels and mount points, and implementing proper access controls to prevent unauthorized path traversal operations. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers privilege escalation through local exploitation of system vulnerabilities, emphasizing the need for robust input validation and proper privilege separation in system components handling user-provided data.