CVE-2014-1424 in AppArmor
Summary
by MITRE
apparmor_parser in the apparmor package before 2.8.95~2430-0ubuntu5.1 in Ubuntu 14.04 allows attackers to bypass AppArmor policies via unspecified vectors, related to a "miscompilation flaw."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-1424 affects the apparmor_parser utility within the AppArmor security framework, specifically impacting Ubuntu 14.04 systems running versions of the apparmor package prior to 2.8.95~2430-0ubuntu5.1. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that undermines the fundamental purpose of AppArmor policy enforcement mechanisms. AppArmor is a mandatory access control system that restricts programs' capabilities by defining security policies that limit what files and resources applications can access, making it a crucial component for system security hardening. The vulnerability stems from a miscompilation flaw that allows attackers to bypass the intended security restrictions, effectively rendering the policy enforcement mechanisms ineffective.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves a miscompilation flaw within the apparmor_parser utility that processes and compiles AppArmor policy rules. This miscompilation occurs during the policy compilation phase where the parser fails to correctly interpret or enforce certain policy directives, creating opportunities for privilege escalation and unauthorized access to system resources. The flaw specifically impacts how the parser handles certain policy constructs, allowing attackers to craft malicious policy files or exploit existing policies in ways that circumvent the security controls. This miscompilation can manifest in various forms including incorrect handling of file access rules, network restrictions, or process execution controls, all of which are fundamental to AppArmor's security model.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-1424 is severe as it allows attackers to bypass the core security protections that AppArmor provides. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can effectively gain unauthorized access to system resources that should be restricted by AppArmor policies, potentially leading to privilege escalation, data exfiltration, or system compromise. The vulnerability's implications extend beyond simple policy bypass, as it undermines the trust model that organizations rely upon when implementing AppArmor security controls. Systems that depend on AppArmor for sandboxing applications or restricting user privileges become vulnerable to attacks that can bypass these protections entirely, making the entire security architecture ineffective. This flaw particularly affects environments where AppArmor is used for containerization, application sandboxing, or mandatory access control enforcement.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-691, which describes insufficient control flow management, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1548.002 for privilege escalation through AppArmor. Organizations should immediately apply the vendor-provided patches that address the miscompilation flaw in the apparmor_parser utility. The recommended mitigation involves upgrading to Ubuntu 14.04 with the patched apparmor package version 2.8.95~2430-0ubuntu5.1 or later, ensuring that all existing AppArmor policies are recompiled with the updated parser. System administrators should also conduct thorough security audits to verify that no malicious policies have been introduced or that existing policies have been properly validated against the updated security controls. Additionally, monitoring for suspicious policy changes or unauthorized access attempts should be implemented as part of the overall security posture, since the vulnerability creates a window of opportunity for attackers to bypass security controls that should be protecting critical system resources.