CVE-2015-1416 in FreeBSD
Summary
by MITRE
Larry Wall's patch; patch in FreeBSD 10.2-RC1 before 10.2-RC1-p1, 10.2 before 10.2-BETA2-p2, and 10.1 before 10.1-RELEASE-p16; Bitrig; GNU patch before 2.2.5; and possibly other patch variants allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary shell commands via a crafted patch file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1416 represents a critical command injection flaw in patch utility implementations across multiple operating systems and software distributions. This security issue affects Larry Wall's patch utility and its derivatives, specifically impacting FreeBSD versions prior to their respective security patches, Bitrig operating system, and GNU patch versions before 2.2.5. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the patch application process, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute arbitrary shell commands through maliciously crafted patch files. The flaw operates at the core of how patch utilities handle file modifications and command execution, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited during legitimate software update processes or when applying patches to source code.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of shell metacharacters and command substitution within patch files. When a vulnerable patch utility processes a crafted file, it fails to properly escape or validate special characters that could be interpreted as shell commands by the underlying system. This allows attackers to embed malicious shell commands within patch content that gets executed during the patch application process. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-78 as "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command," which directly maps to the command injection patterns exploited in this flaw. The attack vector typically requires the victim to apply a malicious patch file, either through automated update mechanisms, manual application, or when processing untrusted patch content from external sources.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-1416 extends beyond simple command execution, as it can enable full system compromise when attackers leverage the vulnerability during patch application. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to systems, escalate privileges, and potentially establish persistent backdoors through the executed shell commands. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where automated patch management systems might unknowingly apply malicious patches, or in development workflows where untrusted patch files are processed. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically targeting shell command execution. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced when patch utilities are run with elevated privileges, as the executed commands would inherit those privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-1416 require immediate patching of affected systems and implementation of strict input validation controls for patch processing. Organizations should prioritize updating to patched versions of FreeBSD 10.2-RC1-p1, 10.2-BETA2-p2, 10.1-RELEASE-p16, and GNU patch 2.2.5 or later, as these releases contain the necessary fixes for the command injection vulnerability. Additionally, system administrators should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit patch distribution sources, ensuring that only trusted and verified patch files are applied to systems. The implementation of sandboxed environments for patch application, input validation of patch files, and regular security audits of patch management processes can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch validation procedures that verify patch integrity and content before application, as well as monitoring for suspicious patch application activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices in system utilities and the critical need for proper input sanitization in command execution contexts.