CVE-2010-2246 in feh
Summary
by MITRE
feh before 1.8, when the --wget-timestamp option is enabled, might allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in a URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-2246 affects the feh image viewer software version 1.8 and earlier, presenting a critical security flaw when the --wget-timestamp command line option is utilized. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and improper handling of URL parameters that can lead to arbitrary code execution on vulnerable systems. The vulnerability specifically manifests when feh processes URLs containing shell metacharacters while operating in wget-timestamp mode, creating a pathway for remote attackers to inject and execute malicious commands on the target system. The flaw represents a classic command injection vulnerability that exploits the software's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into system commands.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of URL parameters within feh's wget-timestamp functionality. When the --wget-timestamp option is enabled, feh utilizes wget to retrieve image files from remote servers while preserving timestamp information. However, the software fails to adequately sanitize the URL components before passing them to underlying shell commands. This oversight allows attackers to craft malicious URLs containing shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks that get interpreted by the shell during the wget execution process. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-78, which defines improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, and represents a variant of command injection attacks that have been consistently documented across security frameworks and threat intelligence sources.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to systems running vulnerable versions of feh, particularly in environments where users might encounter untrusted web content or images from unknown sources. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting specially formatted URLs that contain malicious shell commands, which then get executed with the privileges of the user running feh. The impact extends beyond simple command execution to potentially allow full system compromise, privilege escalation, and data exfiltration depending on the target system's configuration and user permissions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through normal image viewing operations, making it difficult to detect and prevent through traditional network monitoring approaches.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2010-2246 involves immediate upgrade to feh version 1.8 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the command injection vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network-level restrictions to prevent access to untrusted web resources and consider disabling the --wget-timestamp option when processing potentially malicious content. System administrators should monitor for any signs of exploitation attempts and maintain updated security patches across all affected systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and the principle of least privilege in software development, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and input sanitization measures to protect against similar vulnerabilities in other applications that might be susceptible to command injection attacks through improper shell command construction.