CVE-2011-1760 in OProfile
Summary
by MITRE
utils/opcontrol in OProfile 0.9.6 and earlier might allow local users to conduct eval injection attacks and gain privileges via shell metacharacters in the -e argument.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1760 affects OProfile version 0.9.6 and earlier, specifically within the utils/opcontrol utility. This represents a critical security flaw that enables local attackers to execute arbitrary code through improper input validation. The vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of command-line arguments, particularly the -e parameter, which allows malicious users to inject shell metacharacters that can be evaluated by the system. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of command injection attacks and is classified as CWE-77 according to the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog.
The technical flaw manifests when the opcontrol utility processes the -e argument without proper escaping or validation of special shell characters. When an attacker provides malicious input containing metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks, these characters can be interpreted by the underlying shell and executed with the privileges of the process running opcontrol. Since opcontrol typically runs with elevated privileges to access system performance data, successful exploitation can lead to privilege escalation. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the local environment where an attacker already has some level of access to the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to potentially allow full system compromise. Local users who can execute the opcontrol utility can leverage this flaw to gain elevated privileges, potentially enabling them to modify system files, install malicious software, or establish persistence mechanisms. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in multi-user environments where less privileged users might exploit it to gain root access. The attack vector is straightforward and requires minimal skill level to execute, making it attractive to malicious actors. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and command and control operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-1760 should focus on immediate patching of the OProfile utility to version 0.9.7 or later, where proper input validation has been implemented. System administrators should also implement proper input sanitization practices, ensuring that all user-provided arguments are properly escaped before being passed to shell commands. Additional protective measures include restricting access to the opcontrol utility to only trusted users, implementing proper privilege separation, and conducting regular security audits of system utilities. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in security-critical applications and serves as a reminder of the risks associated with shell command execution in privileged contexts. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime protection mechanisms and monitoring for suspicious command execution patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts.