CVE-2011-2646 in Kiwi
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Kiwi before 3.74.2, as used in SUSE Studio 1.1 before 1.1.4, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted filename in the list of testdrive modified files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2646 represents a critical security flaw in the Kiwi tooling system, specifically affecting versions prior to 3.74.2 and SUSE Studio 1.1 before 1.1.4. This issue manifests as an unspecified vulnerability that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code through manipulation of filenames within the testdrive modified files list. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the Kiwi framework, which is widely utilized for creating custom Linux distributions and system images. The attack vector specifically targets the handling of user-supplied filenames during the testdrive modification process, where the system fails to properly validate or sanitize the input before processing.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and CWE-78, which covers improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands. The flaw occurs when the system processes filenames that contain malicious payloads or special characters that can be interpreted by the underlying operating system or shell commands. Attackers can craft filenames that contain command injection sequences or other malicious elements that get executed when the system processes the testdrive modified files list. This represents a classic command injection vulnerability where the vulnerability exists in the filename parsing and processing logic rather than in direct command execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-2646 is severe as it allows remote code execution, which can lead to complete system compromise. An attacker who can influence the testdrive modified files list can potentially gain unauthorized access to the system, escalate privileges, and execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the affected service or user. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where SUSE Studio is used for automated system image creation and deployment, as it enables attackers to inject malicious code into the build process. The remote nature of the attack means that an attacker does not need physical access to the system and can exploit this vulnerability from any location, making it particularly dangerous in cloud and distributed environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of affected systems to versions 3.74.2 or later for Kiwi and 1.1.4 or later for SUSE Studio. Organizations should implement strict input validation and sanitization measures for all user-supplied filenames, particularly those used in automated processes. The implementation of proper filename validation that rejects special characters, command injection sequences, and other potentially dangerous elements should be enforced. Additionally, access controls should be implemented to limit who can modify testdrive configurations, and network segmentation should be employed to restrict access to systems running vulnerable versions of the software. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous filename patterns or suspicious file modification activities, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in related systems. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation in automated build and deployment systems and the potential for remote code execution in seemingly benign file handling processes.