CVE-2014-5220 in mdadm
Summary
by MITRE
The mdcheck script of the mdadm package for openSUSE 13.2 prior to version 3.3.1-5.14.1 does not properly sanitize device names, which allows local attackers to execute arbitrary commands as root.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5220 resides within the mdcheck script component of the mdadm package, specifically affecting openSUSE 13.2 systems running versions prior to 3.3.1-5.14.1. This represents a critical privilege escalation flaw that exploits improper input validation mechanisms within the script's handling of device names. The mdadm package serves as a crucial utility for managing software RAID arrays in linux environments, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it directly impacts system storage management functionality.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of device name parameters passed to the mdcheck script. When the script processes device identifiers, it fails to properly validate or escape special characters that could be interpreted as shell metacharacters. This creates a classic command injection vulnerability where attacker-controlled input can be executed with the privileges of the root user. The flaw operates at the level of shell command construction, where device names are directly incorporated into system calls without proper sanitization measures.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables local attackers to achieve arbitrary code execution with root privileges, fundamentally compromising system integrity and security. The attack vector requires local access to the system, but the privilege escalation potential means that any user with access to execute the mdcheck script can gain complete system control. This represents a significant risk in multi-user environments where privilege separation is expected to maintain system security boundaries. The impact extends beyond immediate command execution to include potential data exfiltration, system persistence mechanisms, and further lateral movement within compromised networks.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-78, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation." Organizations should prioritize patching affected systems to version 3.3.1-5.14.1 or later, as this update includes proper input sanitization mechanisms. Additionally, system administrators should implement monitoring for suspicious execution patterns of the mdcheck script and consider restricting local user access to system management utilities where possible. The remediation process should include comprehensive system auditing to identify any potential compromise from prior exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability could have been leveraged for persistent access to affected systems.