CVE-2013-2231 in Enterprise Linux Server Supplementary
Summary
by MITRE
Unquoted Windows search path vulnerability in the QEMU Guest Agent service for Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop 6, HPC Node 6, Server 6, Workstation 6, Desktop Supplementary 6, Server Supplementary 6, Supplementary AUS 6.4, Supplementary EUS 6.4.z, and Workstation Supplementary 6, when installing on Windows, allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted program in an unspecified folder.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2024
The CVE-2013-2231 vulnerability represents a critical unquoted search path weakness in the QEMU Guest Agent service implementation on Windows systems within Red Hat Enterprise Linux environments. This flaw specifically affects multiple RHEL 6 variants including Desktop, Server, Workstation, and their supplementary releases. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of Windows search path resolution where the service does not properly quote directory paths during execution, creating opportunities for privilege escalation through malicious program placement. The QEMU Guest Agent service, which facilitates communication between the guest operating system and virtualization hypervisor, becomes a vector for local privilege escalation when exploited correctly.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the Windows service execution mechanism where the system searches for executables in a specific order without proper path quoting. When a service is configured with an unquoted path containing spaces, Windows will search the directory containing the executable first, followed by subdirectories. This behavior creates a race condition where a local attacker can place a malicious executable in a directory along the search path with the same name as the intended target program. The vulnerability specifically impacts installations of QEMU Guest Agent on Windows guest operating systems running within RHEL 6 virtualization environments, making it particularly dangerous in virtualized enterprise infrastructures where guest operating systems may have elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system compromise within virtualized environments. Local users with access to the Windows guest system can exploit this weakness to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially gaining access to sensitive system resources, data, or other guest services. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise virtualization deployments where multiple guest systems may be running with elevated privileges, as it could allow attackers to move laterally between virtual machines or escalate privileges to system-level access. This weakness directly violates security principles outlined in CWE-428, which addresses the improper handling of search paths in Windows environments, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers privilege escalation through service misconfiguration.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-2231 should focus on proper path quoting during service installation and implementation of least privilege principles for virtualization components. Organizations must ensure that all service paths are properly quoted during installation to prevent the search path resolution issues that enable this attack vector. System administrators should immediately apply security patches provided by Red Hat that address this specific vulnerability in the QEMU Guest Agent implementation. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and monitoring for unauthorized program installations in system directories can help detect exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of regular security assessments of virtualization environments and adherence to security baselines that prevent unquoted path vulnerabilities in service configurations. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect suspicious activity related to service execution and privilege escalation attempts in virtualized environments where this vulnerability may exist.