CVE-2011-0468 in openSUSE
Summary
by MITRE
The aaa_base package before 11.3-8.9.1 in SUSE openSUSE 11.3, and before 11.4-54.62.1 in openSUSE 11.4, allows local users to gain privileges via shell metacharacters in a filename, related to tab expansion.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2011-0468 represents a privilege escalation flaw within the aaa_base package of openSUSE operating systems. This issue affects versions prior to 11.3-8.9.1 in openSUSE 11.3 and before 11.4-54.62.1 in openSUSE 11.4, creating a significant security risk for local users who can exploit it to elevate their privileges. The flaw specifically relates to how the system handles tab expansion functionality when processing filenames that contain shell metacharacters, demonstrating a classic case of improper input validation and command injection vulnerability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the insecure handling of filename expansion in shell contexts. When users interact with the system through command-line interfaces that utilize tab completion features, the aaa_base package fails to properly sanitize filenames that contain special shell characters such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks. These metacharacters can be interpreted by the shell during tab expansion, allowing maliciously crafted filenames to execute unintended commands with elevated privileges. This represents a direct violation of security principles where user input is not properly escaped or validated before being processed in shell contexts, making it susceptible to command injection attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially enable full system compromise by malicious local users. An attacker with low-level access can exploit this flaw to execute arbitrary commands with root privileges, effectively bypassing the normal access controls that should prevent unauthorized privilege elevation. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-78, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation." The attack vector is particularly concerning because it leverages legitimate system functionality rather than requiring external exploitation, making detection more challenging and the attack more persistent.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate package updates to the patched versions mentioned in the CVE description, specifically upgrading to aaa_base version 11.3-8.9.1 or later for openSUSE 11.3 and version 11.4-54.62.1 or later for openSUSE 11.4. System administrators should also implement additional security controls such as restricting shell access for non-privileged users and implementing proper input validation for filename handling. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected versions and ensure all users are properly authenticated before granting shell access. The remediation process should include monitoring for suspicious command execution patterns and implementing logging controls to detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper input sanitization in shell environments and demonstrates how seemingly benign features like tab completion can become security risks when not properly secured against malicious input.