CVE-2012-0211 in devscripts
Summary
by MITRE
debdiff.pl in devscripts 2.10.x before 2.10.69 and 2.11.x before 2.11.4 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted tarball file name in the top-level directory of an original (.orig) source tarball of a source package.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/04/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0211 affects the debdiff.pl script within the devscripts package, specifically versions 2.10.x prior to 2.10.69 and 2.11.x prior to 2.11.4. This represents a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on systems processing source packages through the affected software. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of tarball file names within the top-level directory of original source tarballs used in Debian package management workflows.
The technical flaw manifests when the debdiff.pl script processes a crafted tarball file name that contains malicious content within the top-level directory of an .orig source tarball. This occurs because the script does not properly validate or sanitize file names before using them in shell commands or file operations. Attackers can exploit this by creating a specially crafted tarball containing a file name with shell metacharacters or command injection sequences that get executed when the script processes the package. This vulnerability falls under CWE-78, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.004 for executing malicious code through shell commands.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can be leveraged to compromise entire build environments and development systems. When developers or automated build systems process packages containing maliciously crafted tarballs, the vulnerability can lead to unauthorized code execution with the privileges of the user running the debdiff.pl script. This poses significant risks to software supply chain integrity and can potentially allow attackers to establish persistent access to development infrastructure, modify source code, or exfiltrate sensitive information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-0211 require immediate patching of affected devscripts packages to versions 2.10.69 or 2.11.4 and later. Organizations should also implement additional protective measures including source package verification through checksums and digital signatures, implementing strict input validation for all package processing workflows, and conducting regular security audits of build environments. Network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual file processing activities. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization in automation tools and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of development and build infrastructure components.