CVE-2014-0484 in acpi-support
Summary
by MITRE
The Debian acpi-support package before 0.140-5+deb7u3 allows local users to gain privileges via vectors related to the "user s environment."
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/29/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0484 affects the Debian acpi-support package version 0.140-5+deb7u2 and earlier, representing a local privilege escalation flaw that exploits weaknesses in the package's handling of user environment variables. This issue specifically targets the acpi-support package which manages power management events and system state transitions in Debian-based systems. The vulnerability stems from improper privilege handling within the package's execution environment, where local attackers can manipulate environmental variables to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The flaw exists in how the package processes user environment settings during power management operations, creating a path for privilege escalation attacks that bypass normal access controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of environment variables that are typically used to configure power management behaviors in the system. When the acpi-support package executes scripts or commands during ACPI events, it fails to properly sanitize or validate the environment variables passed to these operations. This weakness allows a local attacker to inject malicious values into the environment that can influence the execution flow of system scripts. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-276, which describes improper privilege management, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through improper privilege management. The flaw specifically manifests when user environment variables are not properly isolated or validated during the execution of privileged operations, creating a direct pathway for privilege elevation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable attackers to gain root access to compromised systems and potentially establish persistent footholds within network environments. Local users who can execute code on a target system can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands with administrative privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Attackers can use this flaw to install backdoors, modify system files, access sensitive data, or establish persistent access to the compromised system. The vulnerability affects all Debian systems running affected versions of the acpi-support package, particularly those that utilize power management features or have the package installed as part of standard system configurations. The risk is elevated in environments where local user access is common or where system administrators have not properly updated their packages to the patched versions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate application of security patches provided by Debian, specifically updating to version 0.140-5+deb7u3 or later where the issue has been resolved. System administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected versions of the acpi-support package and ensure timely patch deployment across all networked devices. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict environment variable controls, monitoring for unauthorized privilege escalation attempts, and maintaining regular security updates for all system components. The patch addresses the underlying issue by properly sanitizing environment variables and implementing stricter privilege validation during power management operations. Organizations should also consider implementing least privilege principles and monitoring system logs for suspicious activity related to power management events, as these are the typical attack vectors for exploitation of this class of vulnerability. Regular security audits and vulnerability scanning should include checks for outdated acpi-support package versions to prevent exploitation attempts.