CVE-2012-2240 in devscripts
Summary
by MITRE
scripts/dscverify.pl in devscripts before 2.12.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via unspecified vectors related to "arguments to external commands."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2240 affects the devscripts package version 2.12.2 and earlier, specifically targeting the scripts/dscverify.pl utility. This flaw resides within the command line argument handling mechanism of the script that processes Debian source packages. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization when the script passes user-supplied arguments to external commands without adequate escaping or filtering. The issue creates a command injection vector that can be exploited by remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on systems running vulnerable versions of devscripts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the dscverify.pl script directly incorporating user-provided parameters into shell commands without proper sanitization. When the script processes Debian source package verification, it accepts arguments that are subsequently passed to external system commands such as shell invocations or file manipulation utilities. This pattern violates fundamental security principles of input validation and command execution, creating an environment where attacker-controlled data can be interpreted as shell commands rather than simple arguments. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-78 as "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')", which represents a well-established class of vulnerabilities in software systems that handle external command execution.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to development environments and automated build systems that rely on devscripts for package verification. Attackers could exploit this weakness to execute malicious commands with the privileges of the user running the dscverify.pl script, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require local access to the system, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in networked environments. Systems that process untrusted Debian source packages or those that automatically verify package contents through this script are at risk. The impact extends beyond simple command execution to include potential privilege escalation scenarios where the script might run with elevated permissions.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to devscripts version 2.12.3 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the command injection vulnerability. Organizations should also implement immediate defensive measures such as restricting network access to systems running vulnerable versions, monitoring for suspicious command execution patterns, and ensuring proper input validation in any custom scripts that interface with external commands. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments across their infrastructure to identify systems running affected versions and prioritize remediation efforts. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege for script execution and employing proper command escaping techniques can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in other components of the software stack. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in security-critical code paths and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically highlighting how improper argument handling can enable remote code execution through shell injection attacks.