CVE-2015-1418 in FreeBSD
Summary
by MITRE
patch in FreeBSD 10.1 before 10.1-RELEASE-p17, 10.2 before 10.2-BETA2-p3, 10.2-RC1 before 10.2-RC1-p2, and 0.2-RC2 before 10.2-RC2-p1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a crafted patch file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1418 represents a critical command execution flaw within the FreeBSD operating system's patch handling mechanism. This vulnerability specifically affects FreeBSD versions prior to their respective patch releases, creating a persistent security risk that could be exploited by remote attackers. The flaw manifests in the way the system processes crafted patch files, which are typically used to apply software updates and security fixes to the operating system. When a maliciously constructed patch file is processed, the system's patch utility fails to properly validate the input, leading to potential arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running the patch command.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the patch utility's parsing logic. According to CWE-78, this vulnerability falls under the category of "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command," which occurs when user-supplied data is directly incorporated into operating system commands without proper sanitization. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious commands that get executed during the patch application process, effectively bypassing normal security boundaries. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages legitimate system utilities to execute malicious code, making detection more challenging and exploitation more effective.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-1418 extends beyond simple command execution, as it provides attackers with a potential pathway to gain unauthorized access to affected systems. Remote attackers who can influence the patch file delivery mechanism or convince users to apply malicious patches can achieve arbitrary code execution, potentially leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability affects multiple FreeBSD versions and release branches, indicating a widespread exposure that would require coordinated patch management efforts across affected deployments. Systems that regularly apply patches from untrusted sources or have automated patching mechanisms are particularly at risk, as the vulnerability could be exploited without user interaction.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability center on immediate patch application and system hardening measures. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected FreeBSD systems to the patched releases mentioned in the advisory, specifically targeting the RELEASE-p17, BETA2-p3, RC1-p2, and RC2-p1 versions. Additionally, implementing strict patch validation procedures and source authentication mechanisms can help prevent the execution of malicious patches. According to ATT&CK framework tactic TA0002 (Execution) and technique T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter), this vulnerability maps to command execution capabilities that attackers can leverage to establish persistence. Network segmentation and privilege separation measures should be implemented to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect suspicious patch application activities and command execution patterns.