Linux-PAM 1.1.8 pam_timestamp.c pam_timestamp path traversal

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4.6$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux-PAM 1.1.8 and classified as problematic. The impacted element is the function pam_timestamp of the file modules/pam_timestamp/pam_timestamp.c. Such manipulation leads to path traversal. This vulnerability is referenced as CVE-2014-2583. No exploit is available. Applying a patch is advised to resolve this issue.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, has been found in Linux-PAM 1.1.8. Affected by this issue is the function pam_timestamp of the file modules/pam_timestamp/pam_timestamp.c. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a path traversal vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-22. The product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in pam_timestamp.c in the pam_timestamp module for Linux-PAM (aka pam) 1.1.8 allow local users to create arbitrary files or possibly bypass authentication via a .. (dot dot) in the (1) PAM_RUSER value to the get_ruser function or (2) PAM_TTY value to the check_tty function, which is used by the format_timestamp_name function.

The weakness was published 03/26/2014 by Sebastian Krahmer with SuSE as pam_timestamp: fix potential directory traversal issue as confirmed git commit (GIT Repository). The advisory is shared for download at git.fedorahosted.org. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2014-2583 since 03/21/2014. The attack needs to be approached locally. A simple authentication is needed for exploitation. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available. The MITRE ATT&CK project declares the attack technique as T1006. The following code is the reason for this vulnerability: 

if (strlen(tty) == 0) {

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 73979 (SuSE 11.3 Security Update : pam (SAT Patch Number 9119)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family SuSE Local Security Checks. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 196435 (Ubuntu Security Notification for Pam Vulnerabilities (USN-2935-1)).

Applying a patch is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at git.fedorahosted.org. A possible mitigation has been published immediately after the disclosure of the vulnerability. The vulnerability will be addressed with the following lines of code:

if (!strlen(tty) || !strcmp(tty, ".") || !strcmp(tty, "..")) {

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (92342), Tenable (73979), SecurityFocus (BID 66493†), Secunia (SA57317†) and Vulnerability Center (SBV-44649†). Similar entries are available at VDB-77405 and VDB-82667. VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Productinfo

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Version

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.3
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 4.6

VulDB Base Score: 5.3
VulDB Temp Score: 4.6
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
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NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Path traversal
CWE: CWE-22
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Unproven

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 73979
Nessus Name: SuSE 11.3 Security Update : pam (SAT Patch Number 9119)
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍
Nessus Port: 🔍

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Patch
Status: 🔍

Reaction Time: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔍
Exposure Time: 🔍

Patch: git.fedorahosted.org

Timelineinfo

03/21/2014 🔍
03/24/2014 +3 days 🔍
03/24/2014 +0 days 🔍
03/26/2014 +2 days 🔍
03/26/2014 +0 days 🔍
04/04/2014 +9 days 🔍
04/04/2014 +0 days 🔍
04/10/2014 +6 days 🔍
05/13/2014 +33 days 🔍
05/27/2014 +14 days 🔍
05/10/2026 +4366 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Advisory: pam_timestamp: fix potential directory traversal issue
Researcher: Sebastian Krahmer
Organization: SuSE
Status: Confirmed
Confirmation: 🔍

CVE: CVE-2014-2583 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2014-2583
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-12800

OVAL: 🔍

X-Force: 92342 - Linux-PAM format_timestamp_name() directory traversal, Medium Risk
SecurityFocus: 66493 - Linux-PAM 'format_timestamp_name()' Function Directory Traversal Vulnerability
Secunia: 57317 - Linux-PAM "pam_timestamp" Module Two Directory Traversal Vulnerabilities, Less Critical
Vulnerability Center: 44649 - Linux-PAM Local Directory Traversal Vulnerability due to an Error in the format_timestamp_name Function, Low

See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 04/04/2014 13:04
Updated: 05/10/2026 06:15
Changes: 04/04/2014 13:04 (82), 05/29/2017 08:51 (4), 06/16/2021 14:45 (3), 05/10/2026 06:15 (16)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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