GNU Emacs up to 28.2 ctags lib-src/etags.c os command injection

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability categorized as critical has been discovered in GNU Emacs up to 28.2. This impacts an unknown function of the file lib-src/etags.c of the component ctags. Executing a manipulation can lead to os command injection. This vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2022-45939. The attack can be launched remotely. No exploit exists. Applying a patch is advised to resolve this issue.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in GNU Emacs up to 28.2 (Word Processing Software). It has been declared as critical. This vulnerability affects an unknown functionality of the file lib-src/etags.c of the component ctags. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a os command injection vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-78. The product constructs all or part of an OS command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended OS command when it is sent to a downstream component. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

GNU Emacs through 28.2 allows attackers to execute commands via shell metacharacters in the name of a source-code file, because lib-src/etags.c uses the system C library function in its implementation of the ctags program. For example, a victim may use the "ctags *" command (suggested in the ctags documentation) in a situation where the current working directory has contents that depend on untrusted input.

The weakness was disclosed 11/28/2022. The advisory is shared for download at git.savannah.gnu.org. This vulnerability was named CVE-2022-45939 since 11/28/2022. Successful exploitation requires user interaction by the victim. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available. The MITRE ATT&CK project declares the attack technique as T1202.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 211020 (Fedora 38 : emacs (2022-cbc71cc4fe)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Applying a patch is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at git.savannah.gnu.org.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at Tenable (211020). VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Productinfo

Type

• Word Processing Software

Vendor

• GNU

Name

• Emacs

Version

• 28.0
• 28.1
• 28.2

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.gnu.org/

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VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

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