CVE-2010-4664 in ConsoleKit
Summary
by MITRE
In ConsoleKit before 0.4.2, an intended security policy restriction bypass was found. This flaw allows an authenticated system user to escalate their privileges by initiating a remote VNC session.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4664 represents a critical security flaw in ConsoleKit version 0.4.1 and earlier, where an intended security policy restriction was bypassed. ConsoleKit serves as a system service that manages user sessions and provides session management capabilities for desktop environments in Linux systems. This flaw specifically targets the session management policies that should prevent unauthorized privilege escalation, creating a significant weakness in the system's security architecture. The vulnerability exists within the session management logic where authentication checks fail to properly enforce access controls when users attempt to establish remote connections through VNC protocols.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of session initiation requests within the ConsoleKit framework. When an authenticated user attempts to start a remote VNC session, the system fails to properly verify that the user has appropriate privileges to escalate their session rights. This occurs because the session management subsystem does not adequately enforce the security policies that should restrict users from gaining elevated privileges during remote session establishment. The flaw essentially allows a user who has authenticated to the system to bypass normal session restrictions and gain access to additional system resources or capabilities that should be restricted to administrative users.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-4664 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, creating potential pathways for broader system compromise. An authenticated user who exploits this vulnerability can effectively elevate their privileges to gain access to system resources that should be restricted. This type of vulnerability directly relates to CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software systems. The implications include potential unauthorized access to system configuration files, ability to monitor or manipulate other user sessions, and access to sensitive system information that could be leveraged for further attacks. This vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where users may have different privilege levels but should be restricted from accessing each other's resources.
This vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK framework techniques, particularly those related to privilege escalation and persistence. The flaw enables a user to escalate their privileges through legitimate system interfaces, which falls under the ATT&CK technique T1068 for locally escalating privileges. Additionally, the ability to establish remote VNC sessions with elevated privileges creates opportunities for maintaining access to compromised systems. The vulnerability also relates to T1566 for initial access through legitimate credentials, as the attack requires only authenticated access to the system. Organizations should consider this vulnerability in their risk assessments for desktop management systems and session handling mechanisms.
The remediation for CVE-2010-4664 requires upgrading ConsoleKit to version 0.4.2 or later, where the security policy enforcement has been properly implemented. System administrators should ensure that all desktop environments using ConsoleKit are updated to versions that include the patched session management logic. Additionally, organizations should review their session management policies and implement additional monitoring for unauthorized VNC session initiation. The fix addresses the core issue by strengthening the authentication and authorization checks during session establishment, ensuring that proper access controls are enforced regardless of how users initiate remote connections. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper session management in desktop environments and the potential consequences of inadequate access control implementation in system services.