CVE-2012-1106 in Automatic Bug Reporting Tool
Summary
by MITRE
The C handler plug-in in Automatic Bug Reporting Tool (ABRT), possibly 2.0.8 and earlier, does not properly set the group (GID) permissions on core dump files for setuid programs when the sysctl fs.suid_dumpable option is set to 2, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/05/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-1106 resides within the Automatic Bug Reporting Tool (ABRT) C handler plug-in, specifically affecting versions 2.0.8 and earlier. This issue manifests when the system has the sysctl parameter fs.suid_dumpable configured to 2, which enables setuid programs to generate core dump files. The core problem stems from ABRT's failure to properly manage group permissions on these core dump files, creating a significant information disclosure risk. When setuid programs crash and generate core dumps, the system should ensure appropriate access controls are maintained to prevent unauthorized information exposure. The flaw occurs because ABRT does not correctly enforce group ownership or permissions during the core dump file creation process, allowing local attackers to potentially access sensitive data that would normally be restricted to specific user groups.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the interaction between ABRT's core dump handling mechanism and the Linux kernel's security model for setuid programs. When fs.suid_dumpable is set to 2, the kernel permits setuid programs to create core dumps, but requires proper permission management to maintain security boundaries. ABRT's C handler plug-in fails to properly set the group permissions on these generated core files, which typically should be restricted to prevent unauthorized access. This misconfiguration creates a scenario where local users can read core dump files that contain sensitive information from setuid programs, potentially exposing memory contents, program state, or other confidential data that should remain protected. The vulnerability specifically impacts the group permission aspect of file access control, which is fundamental to Unix-like security models and aligns with CWE-276, which addresses incorrect permission assignment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks. Local users who can access these improperly permissioned core dump files may extract sensitive data such as passwords, encryption keys, or other confidential information stored in memory at the time of program crash. This information could then be used for privilege escalation attacks or to gain deeper insights into system operations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects setuid programs, which typically have elevated privileges and access to sensitive system resources. Attackers could leverage this information to craft more targeted attacks against the system, potentially compromising the security of the entire system. The attack surface is broad since many system utilities and services run with setuid permissions, making the potential impact widespread across different system components.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of ABRT to versions that properly handle group permissions on core dump files. System administrators should ensure that ABRT is updated to a version that correctly implements proper permission management when creating core dumps for setuid programs. Additionally, the sysctl parameter fs.suid_dumpable should be carefully reviewed and configured appropriately for the system's security requirements. Organizations should implement monitoring to detect unauthorized access to core dump files and establish proper access controls for these sensitive files. The recommended approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1005, which involves data from local system storage, and emphasizes the importance of maintaining proper file permissions and access controls. Security teams should also consider implementing automated patch management processes to ensure timely updates of security-critical components like ABRT. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper privilege separation and access control enforcement in security-critical system components, particularly those involved in crash handling and debugging operations.