CVE-2012-2248 in dhclient
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in dhclient 4.3.1-6 due to an embedded path variable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2248 resides within the dhclient component of ISC DHCP client software version 4.3.1-6, representing a critical security flaw that stems from improper handling of embedded path variables. This issue manifests in the context of DHCP client operations where the software processes network configuration parameters, specifically affecting systems that rely on dynamic IP address assignment through DHCP protocols. The vulnerability impacts systems running Debian-based distributions where this particular version of the ISC DHCP client is installed, creating potential attack vectors that could be exploited by malicious actors in network environments.
The technical flaw within dhclient stems from how the software manages path variables during the execution of DHCP client operations, particularly when processing network configuration parameters that may contain embedded paths or directory references. This improper handling allows for potential path traversal or injection attacks where an attacker could manipulate the DHCP server response to include malicious path references that would be executed or processed by the client software. The vulnerability specifically relates to how the client interprets and processes embedded path information within DHCP options, creating opportunities for arbitrary code execution or unauthorized access to system resources. The flaw exists at the level of input validation and path resolution within the DHCP client's configuration processing pipeline, making it particularly dangerous in environments where DHCP servers may be compromised or where network traffic is not properly secured.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-2248 extends beyond simple network configuration issues, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems or gain unauthorized access to network resources. This vulnerability could enable attackers to manipulate the DHCP client behavior in ways that compromise system integrity, particularly when the client processes DHCP responses from untrusted sources. The attack surface includes environments where DHCP clients are configured to process dynamic configuration parameters from network servers, such as in enterprise networks, public Wi-Fi hotspots, or any environment where DHCP is used for network configuration management. Systems that rely on dhclient for automatic IP address assignment become vulnerable to privilege escalation attacks, where malicious actors could potentially gain elevated system privileges through the exploitation of this path variable handling flaw. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-78 Command Injection, representing a convergence of path manipulation and command execution risks that could compromise entire network infrastructures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-2248 should focus on immediate software updates and network security hardening measures. Organizations must prioritize updating to patched versions of ISC DHCP client software, specifically versions that address the embedded path variable handling issue, as this represents the most effective long-term solution. Network administrators should implement additional security controls including DHCP server authentication mechanisms, network segmentation, and monitoring of DHCP traffic for anomalous patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The implementation of proper network access controls and firewall rules that restrict DHCP server communications can help limit the attack surface, while regular security audits of DHCP client configurations should be conducted to identify and remediate potential vulnerabilities. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices in network infrastructure software and highlights the need for continuous security assessments of critical system components that handle dynamic configuration data. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, emphasizing the potential for lateral movement and system compromise through this particular flaw.