CVE-2015-0278 in libuv
Summary
by MITRE
libuv before 0.10.34 does not properly drop group privileges, which allows context-dependent attackers to gain privileges via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0278 affects the libuv library version 0.10.33 and earlier, representing a critical privilege escalation issue within the event loop library used by node.js and other applications. This flaw resides in the library's privilege management mechanisms, specifically in how it handles group privilege dropping during process initialization. The vulnerability stems from improper implementation of the setgroups system call or related privilege management functions that should be invoked to ensure that a process running with elevated privileges properly relinquishes unnecessary group memberships before continuing execution. When attackers can manipulate the conditions under which this library operates, they can exploit the incomplete privilege dropping mechanism to maintain elevated access rights beyond what is intended by the application's security model. The vulnerability is context-dependent meaning that exploitation requires specific environmental conditions or attack vectors that allow an adversary to influence the execution flow or process initialization sequence where libuv is invoked.
This technical flaw operates at the system call level where libuv makes calls to the underlying operating system to manage process privileges and group memberships. The vulnerability can be categorized under CWE-250, which describes "Execute Code with Unnecessary Privileges," and represents a specific implementation weakness in privilege management where group privileges are not properly dropped during process initialization. The root cause lies in the improper handling of the setgroups system call or related functions that should be invoked to remove unnecessary group memberships from a process after it has initialized and before it begins executing with reduced privileges. When the library fails to properly drop these group privileges, processes may retain access to resources or capabilities that should only be available to processes running with the primary user privileges. This creates a persistent security boundary violation that can be exploited to gain additional access rights or capabilities that would normally be restricted to the user account.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass broader security implications for applications that rely on libuv for event handling and asynchronous operations. Applications using vulnerable versions of libuv may be susceptible to attacks where an adversary can leverage the retained group privileges to access restricted resources, perform unauthorized operations, or escalate privileges further through additional attack vectors. The vulnerability is particularly concerning for applications that run with elevated privileges such as system services, daemons, or applications that perform administrative functions. The attack surface is broad because libuv is widely used across the node.js ecosystem and numerous other applications, making this a significant concern for organizations that deploy software using this library. The attack vector typically involves manipulating the application environment or execution conditions to ensure that the vulnerable privilege dropping code path is executed, allowing attackers to maintain elevated access rights and potentially compromise the entire system or network.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-0278 focus primarily on updating to libuv version 0.10.34 or later, which contains the patched privilege dropping implementation. Organizations should prioritize updating their node.js applications and any other software that relies on vulnerable versions of libuv to ensure proper privilege management. Additionally, system administrators should implement monitoring for processes that may be running with unnecessary privileges and establish proper privilege separation practices. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques where adversaries leverage improper privilege management to gain elevated system access. Security teams should also implement application whitelisting policies and ensure that applications using libuv are properly sandboxed to limit potential damage from exploitation. Regular security audits should verify that privilege dropping mechanisms are functioning correctly and that applications are not retaining unnecessary group memberships during runtime operations. System hardening measures including disabling unnecessary services and implementing proper access controls further reduce the risk of exploitation by limiting the attack surface available to potential adversaries.