CVE-2010-2022 in FreeBSD
Summary
by MITRE
jail.c in jail in FreeBSD 8.0 and 8.1-PRERELEASE, when the "-l -U root" options are omitted, does not properly restrict access to the current working directory, which might allow local users to read, modify, or create arbitrary files via standard filesystem operations.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/14/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-2022 resides within the FreeBSD operating system's jail implementation, specifically in the jail.c source file that handles the jail command utility. This flaw represents a critical access control bypass that affects FreeBSD versions 8.0 and 8.1-PRERELEASE, where the security mechanism designed to isolate processes within jail environments fails to properly enforce directory access restrictions. The issue manifests when the jail command is executed without the mandatory "-l -U root" options, which are intended to establish proper privilege separation and directory limitations. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-276, which addresses improper privileges for system resources, and falls under the broader category of privilege escalation flaws that compromise system security boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the insufficient validation of filesystem access controls within the jail environment. When the required "-l -U root" parameters are omitted, the jail command fails to properly restrict the current working directory access, allowing processes within the jail to traverse and manipulate the host filesystem through standard filesystem operations. This occurs because the code does not adequately check or enforce the working directory restrictions that should normally be imposed on jailed processes, effectively creating a path traversal vulnerability that enables unauthorized access to sensitive system files and directories. The flaw essentially allows local users within the jail to escape the intended isolation boundaries and perform operations on files they should not normally have access to, representing a direct violation of the principle of least privilege that is fundamental to secure system design.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables local privilege escalation and arbitrary file manipulation within the host system. An attacker who gains access to a jail environment can leverage this flaw to read sensitive configuration files, modify system binaries, create malicious files in critical directories, or even escalate their privileges to root level access. This vulnerability undermines the core security model of FreeBSD's jail implementation, which is designed to provide process isolation and prevent unauthorized access to system resources. The attack surface extends beyond simple file access to include potential data exfiltration, system integrity compromise, and persistent backdoor establishment. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and persistence mechanisms, specifically targeting the T1068 (Local Privilege Escalation) and T1543 (Create or Modify System Process) tactics.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-2022 require immediate implementation of the recommended command-line options and system hardening measures. System administrators should ensure that all jail commands are executed with the proper "-l -U root" parameters to enforce correct privilege separation and directory restrictions. Additionally, the FreeBSD system should be upgraded to patched versions that address this specific vulnerability, as the flaw represents a fundamental security boundary violation. Regular security auditing of jail configurations and privilege assignments should be implemented to prevent similar issues from occurring in other system components. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and access control enforcement in system utilities, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing of privilege-related code paths. Organizations should consider implementing additional monitoring and logging of jail activities to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain audit trails for security incident response.