CVE-2014-4870 in Vyatta 5400 Vrouter Software
Summary
by MITRE
/opt/vyatta/bin/sudo-users/vyatta-clear-dhcp-lease.pl on the Brocade Vyatta 5400 vRouter 6.4R(x), 6.6R(x), and 6.7R1 does not properly validate parameters, which allows local users to gain privileges by leveraging the sudo configuration.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4870 affects the Brocade Vyatta 5400 vRouter running versions 6.4R(x), 6.6R(x), and 6.7R1, specifically targeting the sudo-users script vyatta-clear-dhcp-lease.pl. This issue represents a critical privilege escalation flaw that exploits improper parameter validation within the sudo configuration mechanism. The vulnerability exists in the /opt/vyatta/bin/sudo-users/ directory where the script is located, making it accessible to local users who can leverage the flawed sudo permissions to elevate their privileges.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient input validation within the vyatta-clear-dhcp-lease.pl script which is designed to clear dhcp leases but fails to properly sanitize or validate command line parameters before executing system commands. When local users invoke this script through sudo, they can manipulate the parameters to execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges. This weakness directly maps to CWE-707, which addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in a different context, and more specifically to CWE-20, which covers improper input validation. The vulnerability exploits the trust model inherent in sudo configurations where legitimate commands are granted elevated privileges without sufficient parameter sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows any local user to escalate privileges from standard user level to root access without requiring authentication or specific credentials. This creates a severe security risk for network infrastructure devices where the vRouter serves as a critical component for routing and network management functions. Attackers can leverage this privilege escalation to gain full administrative control over the device, potentially compromising the entire network infrastructure that relies on the vRouter for connectivity and security policies. The vulnerability affects the device's security posture by undermining the principle of least privilege and creating an attack vector that bypasses normal authentication mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of the affected Vyatta versions, implementing proper parameter validation in all sudo-enabled scripts, and conducting comprehensive security audits of sudo configurations. Organizations should disable unnecessary sudo permissions for the vyatta-clear-dhcp-lease.pl script or implement stricter input validation mechanisms. The remediation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which addresses local privilege escalation through improper configuration, and T1548.003 which covers abuse of sudo permissions. Network administrators should also consider implementing additional security controls such as mandatory access controls, regular privilege reviews, and monitoring for unauthorized sudo usage to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and the need for security-conscious development practices in network infrastructure software.