CVE-2013-4209 in Automatic Bug Reporting Tool
Summary
by MITRE
Automatic Bug Reporting Tool (ABRT) before 2.1.6 allows local users to obtain sensitive information about arbitrary files via vectors related to sha1sums.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/01/2020
The Automatic Bug Reporting Tool abrt represents a critical security vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-4209 affecting versions prior to 2.1.6. This vulnerability resides within the tool's handling of file operations and specifically targets the sha1sums functionality that ABRT employs for generating file checksums. The flaw manifests when local users exploit improper file access controls during the checksum generation process, potentially exposing sensitive information from arbitrary files within the system's file hierarchy. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of file paths and access permissions during the sha1sums execution, creating an information disclosure scenario that could reveal confidential data stored in system files or directories. This issue operates under the broader context of inadequate input sanitization and improper privilege management within system-level tools that handle file operations.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2013-4209 occurs when ABRT processes file checksums through the sha1sums utility without proper validation of the file access parameters. Attackers can manipulate the tool's behavior to traverse file system paths and extract information from files that should normally be restricted or protected. The vulnerability specifically relates to how ABRT interacts with the underlying sha1sums command, potentially allowing unauthorized file access through crafted input or by leveraging the tool's own file processing mechanisms. This weakness creates a pathway for information disclosure where local users can potentially access sensitive data from system files, configuration files, or other protected resources that would normally require elevated privileges or proper access controls. The flaw operates at the intersection of file system permissions and tool execution contexts, where the tool's design does not adequately enforce security boundaries during checksum operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it represents a potential escalation vector for local attackers seeking to gather system intelligence or access restricted data. The vulnerability allows adversaries to obtain sensitive information about arbitrary files, which could include system configuration details, user data, or other confidential information that might aid in further exploitation attempts. This information disclosure could enable attackers to gather intelligence about system architecture, user accounts, or application configurations that would otherwise remain hidden. The impact is particularly concerning for systems where ABRT is actively deployed and used for crash reporting, as it could provide attackers with insights into system vulnerabilities or sensitive data stored in the affected environment. The vulnerability affects systems where ABRT processes files without proper file access validation, potentially exposing data across multiple file system levels and user contexts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-4209 primarily focus on upgrading to ABRT version 2.1.6 or later, which includes patches addressing the improper file access handling and sha1sums execution vulnerabilities. System administrators should implement comprehensive file access controls and ensure that ABRT configurations properly validate file paths and access permissions before executing checksum operations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and CWE-200, which covers exposure of sensitive information. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing privilege separation mechanisms and limiting ABRT's file system access to only necessary directories. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1083, File and Directory Discovery, as it enables attackers to gather information about file systems and potentially access sensitive data through legitimate system tools. Regular security audits of system tools and their configurations should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components that may expose sensitive information through improper file handling practices.