CVE-2010-2713 in vte
Summary
by MITRE
The vte_sequence_handler_window_manipulation function in vteseq.c in libvte (aka libvte9) in VTE 0.25.1 and earlier, as used in gnome-terminal, does not properly handle escape sequences, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands or obtain potentially sensitive information via a (1) window title or (2) icon title sequence. NOTE: this issue exists because of a CVE-2003-0070 regression.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/30/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-2713 represents a critical security flaw within the VTE (Virtual Terminal Emulator) library version 0.25.1 and earlier, which is widely used in the GNOME terminal application. This issue stems from a regression that re-introduced a previously addressed vulnerability, specifically CVE-2003-0070, creating a persistent security risk in terminal emulators that process escape sequences. The vulnerability manifests in the vte_sequence_handler_window_manipulation function located in vteseq.c, which fails to properly validate and sanitize escape sequences received from remote sources. This function handles window manipulation escape sequences that are commonly used by terminal applications to modify window titles, icon titles, and other display properties. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious escape sequences that can be interpreted by the terminal emulator, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or information disclosure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the improper handling of terminal escape sequences that control window title and icon title manipulation. When a terminal emulator receives a specially crafted escape sequence, the vte_sequence_handler_window_manipulation function does not adequately validate the input before processing it. This validation failure creates a path for attackers to inject commands that the terminal emulator might execute as part of its normal operation. The vulnerability specifically affects how the library processes window title and icon title sequences, which are commonly used by applications to dynamically update the terminal window's display properties. These sequences are typically harmless when processed correctly, but the flawed implementation allows attackers to manipulate the terminal's behavior to execute unintended commands or extract sensitive information from the system. The issue is particularly dangerous because terminal emulators often run with elevated privileges or access to sensitive system resources, amplifying the potential impact of successful exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution, as it can enable sophisticated attack vectors that leverage the terminal emulator's privileged access to system resources. Attackers can potentially use this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to system information, execute malicious code with the privileges of the terminal emulator process, or even establish persistent access to affected systems. The vulnerability affects not just individual terminal sessions but entire desktop environments that rely on VTE for their terminal functionality, including GNOME Terminal and other applications built on the same library infrastructure. Given that the vulnerability was introduced due to a regression from a previously fixed issue, it demonstrates the importance of maintaining proper security controls during software updates and the potential for previously resolved security gaps to re-emerge. Organizations using affected versions of VTE should consider the risk of data exfiltration, privilege escalation, and unauthorized system access as potential consequences of exploitation.
The remediation strategy for this vulnerability requires immediate patching of affected VTE library versions to address the escape sequence handling flaw. System administrators should prioritize updating to VTE versions 0.25.2 or later, where the regression has been properly addressed. Additionally, organizations should implement network-level controls to restrict access to terminal emulators from untrusted sources and consider deploying terminal security solutions that can detect and prevent malicious escape sequence injection attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-170, which covers improper handling of escape sequences, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059 for executing commands through terminal interfaces. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual terminal activity, particularly around window title and icon manipulation sequences, as these may indicate attempted exploitation. The incident also underscores the importance of maintaining comprehensive software supply chain security practices to prevent regressions from being introduced into security-critical components.