CVE-2017-6516 in sysinfo
Summary
by MITRE
A Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability in MagniComp's Sysinfo before 10-H64 for Linux and UNIX platforms could allow a local attacker to gain elevated privileges. Parts of SysInfo require setuid-to-root access in order to access restricted system files and make restricted kernel calls. This access could be exploited by a local attacker to gain a root shell prompt using the right combination of environment variables and command line arguments.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6516 represents a critical local privilege escalation flaw within MagniComp's Sysinfo software suite, specifically affecting versions prior to 10-H64 on Linux and UNIX platforms. This vulnerability exploits the fundamental design principle that certain system utilities must operate with elevated privileges to access restricted system resources and execute kernel-level operations. The Sysinfo application, designed to gather comprehensive system information, requires setuid-to-root permissions to perform its intended functions, creating a privileged execution environment that can be manipulated by malicious actors. The flaw resides in how the application processes environment variables and command line arguments, allowing an attacker to craft specific input sequences that bypass normal access controls and elevate their privileges to root level.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and handling within the Sysinfo utility's argument parsing mechanism. When the application executes with setuid root privileges, it becomes susceptible to environment variable manipulation that can alter its execution flow and behavior. Attackers can leverage this by setting specific environment variables that influence how Sysinfo processes its arguments, ultimately leading to the execution of arbitrary commands with root privileges. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-276, which addresses improper privileges and access control mechanisms. The flaw demonstrates a classic path traversal and privilege escalation pattern where legitimate system tools with elevated permissions become attack vectors when not properly secured against malicious input manipulation.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-6516 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with complete system control through root shell access. Once elevated, an attacker can modify system files, install persistent backdoors, access all user data, and potentially compromise the entire system infrastructure. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no network connectivity and can be exploited from within the local system context, making it difficult to detect through traditional network monitoring approaches. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that many system administration tools and scripts may invoke Sysinfo, creating multiple potential entry points for exploitation. From an adversary perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to the MITRE ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation tactics, specifically covering techniques related to exploitation of software vulnerabilities and abuse of privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-6516 must address both the immediate vulnerability and underlying architectural issues that enabled the privilege escalation. The primary remediation involves updating to MagniComp Sysinfo version 10-H64 or later, which includes proper input validation and secure argument handling mechanisms. System administrators should also implement comprehensive environment variable sanitization policies, particularly for setuid binaries, and consider removing unnecessary setuid permissions from system utilities that do not require root access. Additional defensive measures include implementing mandatory access controls through SELinux or AppArmor, monitoring for suspicious environment variable modifications, and conducting regular security audits of setuid applications. Organizations should also consider implementing the principle of least privilege by reviewing and minimizing the use of setuid binaries, as these create inherent security risks that can be exploited through various attack vectors including those demonstrated in CVE-2017-6516.