CVE-2010-3349 in Ardour
Summary
by MITRE
Ardour 2.8.11 places a zero-length directory name in the LD_LIBRARY_PATH, which allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse shared library in the current working directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/27/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3349 affects Ardour 2.8.11, a professional digital audio workstation software, and represents a classic privilege escalation issue stemming from improper environment variable handling. This flaw occurs when the application processes the LD_LIBRARY_PATH environment variable, which is used by the dynamic linker to determine where to search for shared libraries during program execution. The specific technical flaw involves the inclusion of a zero-length directory name within the LD_LIBRARY_PATH variable, creating an unintended search path that can be exploited by malicious actors.
When a zero-length directory name is present in LD_LIBRARY_PATH, it effectively translates to the current working directory, as the empty string represents the current location in Unix-like filesystems. This behavior is particularly dangerous because it allows local users to place malicious shared libraries in the current working directory, which will then be loaded by the application when it executes. The vulnerability specifically targets the dynamic loading mechanism and exploits the implicit trust placed in the library search path, creating a vector for privilege escalation attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for systems running Ardour 2.8.11, as it provides local attackers with a straightforward method to escalate privileges. Attackers can simply place a malicious shared library named identically to one of Ardour's required dependencies in the current working directory from which the application is launched. This technique, known as a Trojan horse attack, leverages the inherent trust in the library loading mechanism without requiring any special privileges or complex exploitation techniques. The vulnerability essentially allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running Ardour, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-426, which describes the issue of Untrusted Search Path, and represents a classic example of how improper environment variable handling can lead to security flaws. The attack pattern follows the ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers the exploitation of legitimate credentials and system privileges through the manipulation of library loading paths. The flaw demonstrates the importance of proper environment variable sanitization and the principle of least privilege in system design. Organizations using Ardour or similar applications should immediately update to patched versions, as the vulnerability requires no special privileges to exploit and can be leveraged by any user with access to the system. The fix typically involves properly sanitizing the LD_LIBRARY_PATH variable to remove empty or unsafe directory entries, ensuring that the application only searches trusted directories for shared libraries.