CVE-2011-2176 in NetworkManager
Summary
by MITRE
GNOME NetworkManager before 0.8.6 does not properly enforce the auth_admin element in PolicyKit, which allows local users to bypass intended wireless network sharing restrictions via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2176 resides within the GNOME NetworkManager component of Linux desktop environments, specifically affecting versions prior to 0.8.6. This issue represents a critical authorization flaw that undermines the security controls designed to protect wireless network configurations. The vulnerability stems from improper enforcement of PolicyKit authorization rules, which are fundamental to controlling administrative access to network management functions within the GNOME desktop ecosystem. PolicyKit serves as the core authorization framework that determines which users can perform specific administrative tasks, including configuring wireless network sharing policies. When this authorization mechanism fails to properly validate the auth_admin element, it creates a pathway for unauthorized privilege escalation within the network management subsystem.
The technical flaw manifests in how NetworkManager processes PolicyKit authorization requests for wireless network sharing operations. The auth_admin element within PolicyKit policies is intended to require administrative privileges for network sharing configuration changes, but the vulnerability allows local users to bypass these restrictions through unspecified vectors. This weakness enables attackers to manipulate wireless network sharing settings without possessing the required administrative credentials, effectively undermining the principle of least privilege that should govern network configuration access. The flaw operates at the intersection of desktop environment security policies and network management controls, creating an unexpected access path that should have been blocked by proper authorization enforcement. This represents a classic case of insufficient authorization checking where the system fails to validate that the requesting user possesses the necessary administrative privileges before granting access to sensitive network sharing functions.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-2176 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables local users to modify wireless network sharing configurations that could compromise network security. An attacker with local access could potentially enable wireless sharing for networks that should be restricted, create unauthorized network connections, or modify existing sharing policies to allow access from unintended sources. This vulnerability particularly affects systems where multiple users share a single desktop environment, as it allows one user to potentially gain unauthorized access to network sharing controls that should be restricted to administrators. The implications are significant in enterprise environments where wireless network sharing policies are carefully configured to prevent unauthorized access to corporate networks. The vulnerability could enable lateral movement within a network, facilitate data exfiltration through unauthorized wireless connections, or allow attackers to establish persistent access points that bypass normal security controls.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected NetworkManager installations to version 0.8.6 or later, where proper PolicyKit authorization enforcement has been implemented. System administrators should also review and validate existing PolicyKit policies to ensure that wireless network sharing restrictions are properly configured and enforced. The remediation process should include verification that the auth_admin element is correctly implemented for wireless sharing operations and that appropriate user groups are properly restricted from unauthorized access. Organizations should implement monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized changes to wireless network sharing configurations, as this vulnerability could be exploited to establish persistent network access points. Additionally, security teams should conduct regular audits of PolicyKit configurations to ensure that authorization controls remain effective and that no other similar authorization bypasses exist within the desktop environment. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and represents a specific instance where the ATT&CK technique T1068, "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation," could be effectively employed by adversaries to gain administrative access to network sharing controls.