CVE-2011-2649 in Kiwi
Summary
by MITRE
Kiwi before 3.74.2, as used in SUSE Studio 1.1 before 1.1.4, allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in an unspecified FileUtils function call.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2649 represents a critical command injection flaw within the Kiwi tooling framework that was widely utilized in SUSE Studio 1.1 environments. This vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 3.74.2 of Kiwi and SUSE Studio 1.1 before 1.1.4, creating a dangerous attack surface where malicious actors could leverage shell metacharacters to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation within an unspecified FileUtils function call, which serves as the primary attack vector for privilege escalation and remote code execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of shell metacharacters within the FileUtils function, which is designed to handle file operations but fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into shell commands. This flaw falls under the CWE-78 category of "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.004 for executing malicious commands through shell interfaces. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic command injection pattern where attacker-controlled data is concatenated directly into shell execution contexts without proper sanitization or escaping mechanisms.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents severe security implications for organizations utilizing SUSE Studio 1.1 environments, as it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the affected service or user. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to encompass potential system compromise, data exfiltration, and lateral movement within networked environments. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive systems, deploy malware, or establish persistent backdoors within the targeted infrastructure. The vulnerability's presence in production environments where SUSE Studio is actively used creates a significant risk for organizations relying on automated deployment and image creation processes.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-2649 primarily involve immediate patching of affected systems to versions 3.74.2 or later for Kiwi and SUSE Studio 1.1.1.4 or later for the Studio environment. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures across all function calls that interact with shell commands, particularly those involving file operations. The implementation of proper parameter escaping and the use of secure coding practices that prevent direct shell command construction from user input forms the foundation of effective defense against similar vulnerabilities. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, while regular security audits should verify that no other components within the system architecture may be susceptible to similar command injection vulnerabilities.