CVE-2012-0035 in Emacs
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in EDE in CEDET before 1.0.1, as used in GNU Emacs before 23.4 and other products, allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted Lisp expression in a Project.ede file in the directory, or a parent directory, of an opened file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0035 represents a critical untrusted search path issue within the Emacs Development Environment CEDET component, specifically affecting GNU Emacs versions prior to 23.4 and other products utilizing this framework. This flaw exists in the Project.ede file handling mechanism where the system fails to properly validate or sanitize the search paths when processing project configuration files, creating a privilege escalation vector for local attackers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the improper handling of Lisp expressions within Project.ede files that are loaded from the current directory or parent directories of opened files. When GNU Emacs processes these project configuration files, it does not adequately verify the trustworthiness of the contained Lisp code, allowing malicious actors to craft specially formatted Project.ede files that execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running Emacs. This behavior directly violates the principle of least privilege and creates an attack surface where local users can escalate their privileges through seemingly benign file operations.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables local attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack requires the target user to open a file in a directory containing a malicious Project.ede file, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently open files from untrusted locations or shared directories. The vulnerability affects not only the specific GNU Emacs versions mentioned but also other products that integrate the vulnerable CEDET framework, amplifying its potential impact across multiple software ecosystems.
The security implications of CVE-2012-0035 align with CWE-427 Uncontrolled Search Path Element, which specifically addresses the risk of applications loading code from untrusted directories. This vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers the exploitation of legitimate credentials and privileges through the manipulation of search paths and environment variables. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected GNU Emacs installations and other products using vulnerable CEDET components, while implementing additional controls such as restricting file permissions in development directories and monitoring for suspicious Project.ede file modifications.
Mitigation strategies should include updating to GNU Emacs 23.4 or later versions where this vulnerability has been addressed, implementing proper file access controls to prevent unauthorized modifications to project configuration files, and establishing security awareness training for developers to recognize potential malicious file placements. System administrators should also consider implementing file integrity monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized modifications to Project.ede files and other configuration artifacts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of validating all external input sources, particularly in development environments where trust assumptions may be violated by malicious actors seeking to exploit legitimate software functionality for privilege escalation purposes.