CVE-2010-3372 in Nordugrid-arc
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in NorduGrid Advanced Resource Connector (ARC) before 0.8.3 allows local users to gain privileges via vectors related to the LD_LIBRARY_PATH environment variable. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3372 represents a critical untrusted search path issue within the NorduGrid Advanced Resource Connector (ARC) software ecosystem. This flaw affects versions prior to 0.8.3 and specifically targets the handling of the LD_LIBRARY_PATH environment variable, creating a privilege escalation vector that local attackers can exploit to elevate their system privileges. The vulnerability stems from the software's improper validation of dynamic library loading paths, which allows malicious code to be loaded in place of legitimate system libraries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the standard Unix/Linux library loading mechanism where applications search for shared libraries in a predefined order of directories. When the LD_LIBRARY_PATH environment variable is improperly handled or not sanitized, attackers can manipulate the library search order to load malicious libraries before the intended legitimate ones. This particular flaw in ARC occurs during the software's execution phase when it attempts to load required dynamic libraries, failing to properly validate or restrict the search paths that the system uses to locate these components. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-426 as an Untrusted Search Path, which directly maps to the improper handling of library paths in the operating system.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to systems running affected versions of ARC, particularly in high-security environments where privilege separation is critical. Local users who can influence the environment in which ARC executes can potentially execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, effectively bypassing normal access controls and security boundaries. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially allow full system compromise, as the malicious libraries could be designed to establish backdoors, exfiltrate data, or perform other malicious activities. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in grid computing environments where ARC is commonly deployed, as these systems often require elevated privileges for resource management and coordination tasks.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to ARC version 0.8.3 or later, which includes proper sanitization of the LD_LIBRARY_PATH environment variable and implementation of secure library loading practices. Organizations should also implement immediate operational controls such as setting restrictive permissions on library directories, monitoring for unauthorized changes to library paths, and conducting thorough security audits of the affected systems. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing the principle of least privilege and ensuring that applications like ARC are not executed with unnecessary elevated privileges. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1068 for Local Privilege Escalation and T1574 for Hijacking Execution Flow, making it a significant concern for organizations seeking to maintain robust security postures against persistent threats.