CVE-2010-2369 in Lhasa
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in Lhasa 0.19 and earlier allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse executable file in the current working directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/07/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-2369 represents a classic untrusted search path issue affecting Lhasa version 0.19 and earlier. This flaw resides in the software's handling of executable file paths during program execution, creating a privilege escalation vector that can be exploited by local attackers. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate or sanitize the search path used when locating and executing binaries, allowing malicious actors to place crafted executables in directories that are searched before legitimate system locations.
This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-426, which specifically addresses the issue of untrusted search paths where applications search for executables in directories that may contain malicious code. The flaw enables attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the targeted application, potentially leading to full system compromise when the vulnerable application runs with elevated permissions. The attack vector is particularly insidious because it requires minimal privileges to exploit, as local users can simply place a malicious executable in the current working directory where the vulnerable application expects to find its dependencies.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can be leveraged to establish persistent access to compromised systems. When the vulnerable application executes, it will first search the current working directory for required executables, and if a malicious file is present with the same name as a legitimate dependency, the system will execute the attacker's code instead of the intended program. This behavior creates opportunities for attackers to perform reconnaissance, install backdoors, or escalate privileges to root level access depending on the application's execution context and permissions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-2369 should focus on implementing proper path validation and secure coding practices that prevent the exploitation of untrusted search paths. Organizations should ensure that all applications explicitly define absolute paths to executables rather than relying on PATH environment variables or relative paths that could be manipulated. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by running applications with minimal necessary permissions, and regular security audits should verify that applications do not inadvertently search potentially compromised directories. Additionally, system administrators should implement proper file system permissions and monitoring to detect unauthorized modifications to directories where applications execute, as outlined in the attack techniques documented under the MITRE ATT&CK framework for privilege escalation and persistence mechanisms.