CVE-2013-1820 in tuned
Summary
by MITRE
tuned before 2.x allows local users to kill running processes due to insecure permissions with tuned's ktune service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/11/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-1820 affects the tuned daemon software version 2.x and earlier, representing a critical privilege escalation and process termination flaw within Linux system tuning utilities. This issue stems from insecure permissions within tuned's ktune service component, which operates with elevated privileges to manage system performance parameters. The flaw allows local attackers with minimal system access to manipulate running processes through the vulnerable service interface, creating a significant security risk for systems relying on tuned for performance optimization.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper permission model implemented within the ktune service functionality of tuned. When the tuned daemon executes with elevated privileges to modify system parameters, it fails to properly validate or restrict access to its service interfaces. Local users can exploit this by directly interacting with the ktune service through the command line or by crafting specific process termination commands that leverage the service's elevated permissions. The vulnerability specifically impacts the process management capabilities of the tuned service, allowing unauthorized termination of running processes without proper authentication or authorization checks.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-1820 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with the ability to disrupt system operations through process termination. An attacker could target critical system processes, user applications, or even security monitoring tools to create denial of service conditions or to evade detection. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and creates a persistent backdoor for attackers to maintain control over compromised systems. The impact is particularly severe in enterprise environments where tuned is commonly used for performance tuning of critical infrastructure components.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the tuned daemon to version 2.x or later, which addresses the insecure permissions issue. System administrators should also implement proper access controls to limit local user privileges and monitor for unauthorized access to the tuned service interfaces. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which covers improper permissions and access control issues, and corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage and T1489 for denial of service. Organizations should conduct comprehensive audits of their tuned configurations and implement process monitoring to detect unauthorized termination attempts. Additionally, disabling unnecessary tuned services and implementing proper system hardening practices can reduce the attack surface and limit the potential impact of similar vulnerabilities.