CVE-2014-2095 in Catfish
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in Catfish 0.6.0 through 1.0.0, when a Fedora package such as 0.8.2-1 is not used, allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse bin/catfish.pyc under the current working directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2095 represents an untrusted search path issue within the Catfish file search utility version 0.6.0 through 1.0.0. This flaw manifests when the software is installed outside of the standard Fedora package structure, specifically when using version 0.8.2-1 or similar non-standard distributions. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate the execution path for critical system components, creating a dangerous privilege escalation vector for local attackers. The issue is particularly concerning because it leverages the principle of least privilege by allowing unauthorized code execution with elevated privileges, directly violating security best practices for software installation and execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the PATH environment variable handling within the Catfish application. When Catfish executes system commands, it relies on the system's default search path without properly sanitizing or validating the execution environment. An attacker can place a malicious file named catfish.pyc in the current working directory, which the application will subsequently execute with elevated privileges. This Trojan horse approach directly violates the common security principle of avoiding execution of code from untrusted or writable locations. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-426 as an "Untrusted Search Path" and specifically relates to CWE-276, which addresses improper privileges, making it a critical security weakness in the software's execution model. The flaw operates at the operating system level where the application fails to implement proper input validation and path resolution techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential full system compromise. Local attackers with basic user privileges can exploit this weakness to execute arbitrary code with root privileges, effectively bypassing the system's access control mechanisms. This creates a significant risk for desktop environments where users may not be security-aware and could inadvertently execute malicious payloads. The vulnerability affects systems running the affected versions of Catfish, particularly those installed outside of standard package management systems, making it relevant to both desktop users and system administrators who may have installed the software manually or through non-standard channels. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal user interaction beyond placing the malicious file in a working directory, making it an attractive target for social engineering attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-2095 must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities. The primary solution involves updating to a patched version of Catfish that properly implements secure path resolution and validates all execution paths. System administrators should ensure that all software installations follow standard package management practices to avoid non-standard installations that may contain such vulnerabilities. The implementation of secure coding practices, including the use of absolute paths for system commands and proper input validation, should be enforced throughout the software development lifecycle. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be strictly enforced by ensuring that applications only execute with the minimum required permissions. Organizations should also implement regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses in their software environments. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1068, which addresses "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation," underscores the importance of maintaining secure system configurations and proper software patch management as recommended by NIST guidelines and the CWE hierarchy that addresses path-related security issues.