CVE-2012-3490 in Condor
Summary
by MITRE
The (1) my_popenv_impl and (2) my_spawnv functions in src/condor_utils/my_popen.cpp and the (3) systemCommand function in condor_vm-gahp/vmgahp_common.cpp in Condor 7.6.x before 7.6.10 and 7.8.x before 7.8.4 does not properly check the return value of setuid calls, which might cause a subprocess to be created with root privileges and allow remote attackers to gain privileges via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/21/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-3490 affects Condor distributed computing software versions 7.6.x before 7.6.10 and 7.8.x before 7.8.4, representing a critical privilege escalation flaw that stems from improper error handling in system call execution. This vulnerability resides within three key functions: my_popenv_impl and my_spawnv located in src/condor_utils/my_popen.cpp, and systemCommand found in condor_vm-gahp/vmgahp_common.cpp, all of which are integral components of Condor's process management and system command execution mechanisms. The core issue manifests when these functions fail to validate the return values of setuid system calls, creating a scenario where subprocesses may inadvertently inherit root privileges during execution.
The technical flaw constitutes a failure in input validation and privilege management within Condor's process spawning infrastructure. When setuid calls are executed, they are designed to change the user ID of a process to provide elevated privileges for specific operations. However, the vulnerability occurs because the functions do not properly verify whether these setuid operations succeed or fail. This oversight allows the system to proceed with subprocess execution even when privilege changes have not been properly applied, potentially resulting in processes running with elevated privileges when they should not. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it enables remote attackers to exploit this weakness through unspecified attack vectors that manipulate the conditions under which these functions execute.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and potentially catastrophic for systems running affected Condor versions. Remote attackers who can influence the execution flow of these functions may gain root privileges on the target system, enabling them to execute arbitrary code with the highest level of system access. This privilege escalation capability allows attackers to bypass normal security controls, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or further lateral movement within a network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects distributed computing environments where Condor is used for job scheduling and resource management, making it particularly concerning for organizations that rely on distributed computing frameworks for critical operations.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability involve immediate patching of affected Condor installations to versions 7.6.10 or 7.8.4, which contain the necessary fixes for proper setuid return value validation. Organizations should also implement monitoring for unusual process execution patterns that might indicate privilege escalation attempts, and conduct thorough security reviews of all system call usage within the Condor codebase. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing least privilege principles for Condor service accounts and ensure that only authorized users have access to systems where Condor is installed. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-252, which describes the weakness of "Unchecked Return Value," and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege as outlined in ATT&CK technique T1068, involving privilege escalation through improper system call handling. Organizations should also perform regular security assessments of distributed computing frameworks to identify similar vulnerabilities in other software components that may present similar privilege management flaws.