CVE-2011-4349 in colord
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in (1) cd-mapping-db.c and (2) cd-device-db.c in colord before 0.1.15 allow local users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via vectors related to color devices and (a) device id, (b) property, or (c) profile id.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4349 represents a critical security flaw in the colord color management system, specifically affecting versions prior to 0.1.15. This issue manifests as multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities within the color device database components, creating a significant attack surface for local adversaries seeking to compromise system integrity. The affected files cd-mapping-db.c and cd-device-db.c contain code that fails to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into SQL queries, enabling malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands through carefully crafted inputs.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and parameter sanitization within the color device management subsystem. Attackers can exploit this weakness by manipulating color device identifiers, property values, or profile identifiers to inject malicious SQL payloads into the underlying database operations. This flaw operates at the database interaction layer where user-supplied data directly influences SQL command construction without proper escaping or parameterization. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and represents a classic example of insecure database query construction where user input flows directly into executable SQL statements.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses severe risks to systems running affected versions of colord, as local users can execute arbitrary SQL commands with the privileges of the colord service account. The attack surface extends beyond simple data theft to include potential system compromise, data manipulation, and privilege escalation opportunities. Since colord typically runs with elevated privileges to manage color profiles and device calibration, successful exploitation could allow attackers to modify color profiles, inject malicious device definitions, or even gain deeper system access through database manipulation. The local nature of the attack means that any user with access to the system can potentially exploit this vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2011-4349 requires immediate deployment of the patched version 0.1.15 or later, which implements proper input sanitization and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. System administrators should also implement additional security controls including privilege separation, regular security auditing, and monitoring for suspicious database activities. Organizations should consider applying the principle of least privilege to the colord service, limiting its database access to only necessary operations. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1078 Valid Accounts and T1046 Network Service Scanning, as exploitation requires local system access and can potentially lead to broader network compromise through database manipulation. Regular vulnerability assessments and security updates should be implemented to prevent similar issues in other system components that handle user input in database operations.