CVE-2012-5560 in mate-settings-daemon
Summary
by MITRE
The default configuration in mate-settings-daemon 1.5.3 allows local users to change the timezone for the system via a crafted D-Bus call.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5560 resides within the mate-settings-daemon version 1.5.3, a component of the MATE desktop environment that manages various system settings through D-Bus communication. This flaw represents a significant security oversight in the privilege management system, as it allows unprivileged local users to manipulate critical system parameters through legitimate D-Bus interfaces that should otherwise be restricted to authorized administrative processes.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a crafted D-Bus call that targets the timezone configuration functionality within the daemon. The default configuration fails to properly validate incoming D-Bus messages, particularly those related to system-wide timezone changes, enabling any local user to submit malicious requests that modify the system's timezone setting. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates inadequate input validation mechanisms within the D-Bus interface implementation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables local users to potentially disrupt system logging, affect time-sensitive applications, and create confusion in system monitoring tools that rely on accurate timezone settings. The impact extends beyond simple inconvenience as incorrect timezone settings can compromise audit trails, affect scheduled tasks, and interfere with network services that depend on precise time synchronization. The vulnerability falls under CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, specifically the lack of proper privilege validation in D-Bus communication channels.
The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges and can be executed by any local user, making it a low-hanging fruit for privilege escalation attempts. While the immediate impact may seem limited to timezone changes, this vulnerability demonstrates broader issues in the daemon's security architecture and could potentially serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks. The flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through the exploitation of system service vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper D-Bus access controls, ensuring that only authorized processes can modify system-wide settings through the daemon's interfaces. System administrators should update to patched versions of mate-settings-daemon, implement D-Bus policy files that restrict access to sensitive configuration interfaces, and conduct regular security audits of D-Bus service configurations. Additionally, monitoring for unauthorized D-Bus calls related to system settings can help detect potential exploitation attempts and provide early warning of security incidents.