CVE-2015-9059 in picocom
Summary
by MITRE
picocom before 2.0 has a command injection vulnerability in the 'send and receive file' command because the command line is executed by /bin/sh unsafely.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-9059 affects picocom versions prior to 2.0 and represents a critical command injection flaw within the serial communication terminal program. This vulnerability specifically manifests in the 'send and receive file' functionality where the application executes shell commands without proper sanitization of user inputs. The flaw occurs because picocom constructs command lines using user-provided filenames and executes them directly through /bin/sh, creating an environment where malicious input can be interpreted as shell commands rather than literal file paths. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-78, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for executing commands through a command and scripting interpreter. The vulnerability exists at the intersection of input validation and shell command execution, where the software fails to properly escape or quote user-supplied arguments before incorporating them into system calls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution, as it allows attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code on systems running vulnerable versions of picocom. When users attempt to send or receive files through the affected program, any specially crafted filenames containing shell metacharacters can be exploited to inject malicious commands that will execute with the privileges of the user running picocom. This creates a significant risk for system administrators and developers who rely on picocom for serial communication tasks, particularly in environments where the tool might be used with untrusted input or in automated scripts. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited through normal program usage without requiring special privileges or complex attack vectors, making it a high-risk issue for any system that employs this tool for serial communication operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9059 should prioritize immediate patching of picocom to version 2.0 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper input sanitization and command construction. Organizations should implement strict input validation measures for any file operations within their serial communication workflows, ensuring that filenames and other user inputs are properly escaped or quoted before being incorporated into shell commands. System administrators should also consider restricting the execution environment for picocom by using restricted shells or implementing additional sandboxing measures. The fix implemented in picocom 2.0 addresses the root cause by properly sanitizing user inputs and using safer command execution methods that prevent shell interpretation of specially crafted filenames. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual command execution patterns and file operations that might indicate exploitation attempts, while regular security audits should verify that all instances of picocom are updated to secure versions to prevent potential exploitation across the enterprise environment.