CVE-2017-1000367 in sudo
Summary
by MITRE
Todd Miller's sudo version 1.8.20 and earlier is vulnerable to an input validation (embedded spaces) in the get_process_ttyname() function resulting in information disclosure and command execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1000367 affects sudo versions 1.8.20 and earlier, specifically within the get_process_ttyname() function where embedded spaces in input validation create a critical security flaw. This issue represents a classic buffer manipulation vulnerability that allows attackers to exploit the sudo command's handling of terminal names and process identification. The flaw stems from inadequate input sanitization when processing terminal device names, creating a path for malicious actors to manipulate the sudo execution environment through carefully crafted command inputs.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of embedded spaces within terminal name strings, which enables attackers to inject additional commands or manipulate process execution flows. When sudo processes commands with embedded spaces in the ttyname parameter, the validation function fails to properly sanitize the input, allowing for command injection attacks. This vulnerability operates at the system level where sudo typically runs with elevated privileges, making the potential impact significantly more severe than typical user-level exploits.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-1000367 extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass full command execution capabilities, effectively allowing attackers to bypass sudo restrictions and execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the target user or root. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a form of command injection that can be leveraged to escalate privileges within Unix-like systems. Attackers can exploit this weakness to execute malicious commands through the sudo interface, potentially gaining root access to compromised systems.
This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including privilege escalation through the use of sudo commands and command and scripting interpreter execution. The flaw enables adversaries to maintain persistence and escalate their access level within compromised environments, as sudo typically serves as a critical privilege escalation mechanism in Unix-based systems. Organizations utilizing affected sudo versions face significant risk of unauthorized system compromise, particularly in environments where sudo is frequently used for administrative tasks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-1000367 require immediate patching of sudo installations to versions 1.8.21 or later, which contain the necessary input validation fixes. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring for unusual sudo usage patterns and ensure proper input sanitization in custom sudo configurations. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in security-sensitive components, as even seemingly benign input processing functions can create significant security weaknesses. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected sudo versions and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.