CVE-2011-0523 in gypsy
Summary
by MITRE
gypsy 0.8 does not properly restrict the files that can be read while running with root privileges, which allows local users to read otherwise restricted files via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0523 affects gypsy version 0.8, a media player application that operates with elevated privileges during execution. This flaw represents a critical access control weakness that undermines the security model of the application by failing to properly validate file access requests when running under root privileges. The vulnerability specifically targets the file reading mechanisms within the application's codebase, creating a pathway for local attackers to bypass normal file system restrictions that would typically prevent access to sensitive system files.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and file access controls within the gypsy media player's file handling routines. When the application executes with root privileges, it should enforce strict access controls to prevent unauthorized file access, but the flaw allows attackers to exploit unspecified vectors to read files that should normally be restricted. This represents a classic privilege escalation scenario where a local user can leverage the application's elevated permissions to access sensitive system resources that are normally protected by the operating system's file permission model.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as local attackers can potentially access system configuration files, authentication credentials, log files, and other sensitive data that may contain valuable information for further exploitation. The vulnerability affects any system where gypsy 0.8 is installed and executed with root privileges, creating a persistent security risk that can be exploited by any local user with access to the system. Attackers could use this capability to gather intelligence about the system's configuration, identify potential attack vectors, or extract sensitive information that could facilitate more sophisticated attacks.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-250, which addresses "Execute Code with Unusual or Unconventional Privilege Level" and CWE-264, addressing "Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls." The flaw demonstrates a failure in proper privilege separation and access control enforcement, creating a scenario where the principle of least privilege is violated. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1068, "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation," and T1005, "Data from Local System," as it enables local users to escalate their privileges and access system data that would normally be restricted.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the gypsy application to version 0.8.1 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the file access control issues. System administrators should also implement proper access controls to limit the execution of privileged applications and ensure that only authorized users have the ability to run gypsy with elevated privileges. Additional defensive measures include monitoring for unauthorized file access attempts, implementing file integrity monitoring solutions, and conducting regular security audits to identify similar privilege escalation vulnerabilities in other system applications. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input validation and access control implementation in security-critical applications that operate with elevated privileges.