CVE-2016-8742 in CouchDB
Summary
by MITRE
The Windows installer that the Apache CouchDB team provides was vulnerable to local privilege escalation. All files in the install inherit the file permissions of the parent directory and therefore a non-privileged user can substitute any executable for the nssm.exe service launcher, or CouchDB batch or binary files. A subsequent service or server restart will then run that binary with administrator privilege. This issue affected CouchDB 2.0.0 (Windows platform only) and was addressed in CouchDB 2.0.0.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/21/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2016-8742 represents a critical local privilege escalation flaw within the Windows installer package of Apache CouchDB version 2.0.0. This security weakness stems from improper file permission handling during the installation process, creating a persistent attack vector that allows unprivileged users to escalate their privileges to administrative level. The vulnerability specifically impacts the Windows platform and demonstrates a fundamental failure in the installer's security design, where all installed files inherit the permissions of their parent directory structure without proper access controls.
The technical exploitation mechanism relies on the installer's failure to implement proper file permissions and access controls for critical installation components. When CouchDB 2.0.0 was installed on Windows systems, the installer created files that inherited directory permissions rather than establishing restrictive access controls. This design flaw enables a low-privilege user to replace critical executable files such as nssm.exe, which serves as the service launcher, or other CouchDB binary components with malicious substitutes. The nssm.exe file is particularly significant as it acts as a service control manager wrapper that facilitates CouchDB service operations. Once replaced, these modified executables can be triggered during subsequent service restarts or server operations, executing with elevated privileges and granting the attacker full administrative control over the system.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-276, which addresses improper file permissions, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with the ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves local privilege escalation through service manipulation. The operational impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with complete system compromise capabilities, including the ability to modify system configurations, install additional malware, access sensitive data, and potentially establish persistent backdoors. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no network connectivity or external exploitation; the vulnerability exists purely within the local system and can be exploited through simple file replacement operations that do not require any advanced technical skills.
The security implications of this vulnerability are severe given that CouchDB installations often run with elevated privileges and may contain sensitive database information. Attackers can leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to databases, modify or delete critical data, and potentially use the compromised system as a pivot point for further attacks within a network. The remediation process involves upgrading to CouchDB version 2.0.0.1, which implements proper file permission controls and addresses the installer's security weaknesses. Organizations should conduct immediate vulnerability assessments to identify affected systems and ensure all CouchDB installations on Windows platforms are updated to the patched version. Additionally, system administrators should review and implement proper access controls for installation directories and monitor for unauthorized file modifications to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in other software installations.