CVE-2016-15045 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 07/23/2025
A local privilege escalation vulnerability exists in lastore-daemon, the system package manager daemon used in Deepin Linux (developed by Wuhan Deepin Technology Co., Ltd.). In versions 0.9.53-1 (Deepin 15.5) and 0.9.66-1 (Deepin 15.7), the D-Bus configuration permits any user in the sudo group to invoke the InstallPackage method without password authentication. By default, the first user created on Deepin is in the sudo group. An attacker with shell access can craft a .deb package containing a malicious post-install script and use dbus-send to install it via lastore-daemon, resulting in arbitrary code execution as root.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2016-15045 represents a critical local privilege escalation flaw within the lastore-daemon component of Deepin Linux operating systems. This daemon serves as the system package manager responsible for handling software installation operations through a D-Bus interface. The issue stems from overly permissive D-Bus configuration that allows members of the sudo group to invoke the InstallPackage method without requiring authentication. This configuration flaw creates a significant security gap because the sudo group typically contains users with elevated privileges, and the default Deepin installation process automatically places the first created user into this group. The vulnerability manifests when an attacker with shell access can craft a malicious .deb package containing a post-install script designed to execute arbitrary code, then leverage the D-Bus interface to install this package through lastore-daemon, effectively achieving root-level execution. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-284, which describes improper access control, specifically weak access control mechanisms that allow unauthorized users to perform privileged operations. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves local privilege escalation through the exploitation of system vulnerabilities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of D-Bus service permissions within the Deepin Linux environment. The lastore-daemon daemon exposes the InstallPackage method through D-Bus, and the configuration file fails to properly restrict access to this method. When a user in the sudo group executes a D-Bus command using dbus-send to invoke InstallPackage, no authentication prompt or verification occurs. This lack of authentication stems from the D-Bus configuration file that defines which users or groups can invoke specific methods without requiring additional verification. The default installation process of Deepin Linux creates a user account that is automatically added to the sudo group, meaning that any user who can obtain shell access to the system can potentially exploit this vulnerability. The malicious .deb package must contain a post-install script that executes with root privileges during installation, as the lastore-daemon runs with elevated permissions. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal prerequisites for exploitation, essentially only shell access and knowledge of the D-Bus interface.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-15045 extends far beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected system. Once an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they gain root-level access and can perform any action typically restricted to system administrators. This includes modifying system files, installing backdoors, exfiltrating sensitive data, and establishing persistent access to the system. The attack chain is relatively straightforward, requiring only basic knowledge of D-Bus communication and package management. The vulnerability affects specific versions of Deepin Linux, particularly 15.5 and 15.7, making it a targeted issue for users running these particular releases. The impact is particularly severe because it allows attackers to bypass traditional security controls that would normally prevent privilege escalation, effectively neutralizing user account restrictions and access control mechanisms. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper D-Bus service configuration and access control policies in preventing unauthorized privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-15045 require immediate attention and system hardening measures. The most effective immediate solution involves modifying the D-Bus configuration file to restrict access to the InstallPackage method, ensuring that only authorized users or processes can invoke this functionality. System administrators should verify that the D-Bus service configuration properly implements access controls and that the sudo group is not granted unnecessary privileges for package management operations. Regular system updates and patches should be applied to address this vulnerability, as the issue was resolved in later versions of the lastore-daemon package. Network segmentation and privilege separation should be implemented to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Additionally, monitoring and logging of D-Bus activity should be enabled to detect suspicious installation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized package installations. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following security best practices for D-Bus service configuration, including the principle of least privilege and proper access control enforcement. System administrators should conduct regular security audits to identify and remediate similar configuration flaws that could enable privilege escalation attacks.