CVE-2014-2094 in Catfish
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in Catfish through 0.4.0.3, when a Fedora package such as 0.4.0.2-2 is not used, allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse catfish.pyc in the current working directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2094 represents a classic untrusted search path issue affecting the Catfish file search tool version 0.4.0.3 and earlier. This flaw manifests when the application fails to properly validate the execution environment, specifically when installed outside the standard Fedora package structure. The vulnerability resides in how Catfish handles Python bytecode files during execution, creating a path traversal scenario where malicious actors can manipulate the application's behavior through carefully placed files in the current working directory.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper path resolution mechanisms within Catfish's runtime environment. When the application executes without being installed via the standard Fedora packaging system, it defaults to searching for module files in the current working directory before checking system paths. This behavior creates a race condition where a malicious user can place a Trojan horse catfish.pyc file in the directory from which the application is launched. The Python interpreter, following standard import resolution rules, will execute the malicious bytecode file instead of the legitimate system version, effectively bypassing normal security controls.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables local privilege escalation attacks that can be particularly dangerous in multi-user environments. The attack requires only local access and basic file manipulation capabilities, making it accessible to users who might not otherwise have elevated privileges. The vulnerability affects systems where Catfish has been manually installed or compiled outside the standard package management system, which is common in development environments or when users prefer custom installations. This creates a significant risk for system administrators who may not be aware of such installations or their potential security implications.
The exploitability of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-427, which specifically addresses uncontrolled search path dependencies in software applications. This weakness category encompasses scenarios where applications search for resources in untrusted directories, leading to potential code injection or execution bypasses. The attack vector operates through the principle of path precedence, where local files are prioritized over system files, creating a fundamental security flaw in the application's trust model. Additionally, this vulnerability can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through the exploitation of application vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-2094 primarily involve ensuring proper package installation through the standard Fedora packaging system, which enforces correct path resolution and security controls. System administrators should implement mandatory access controls and regular security audits to identify non-standard installations that may be vulnerable. The most effective long-term solution involves updating to patched versions of Catfish where the application properly validates its execution environment and enforces secure path resolution. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of running applications outside of standard package management systems and the importance of maintaining secure working directories to prevent such privilege escalation attacks.