Vulnerabilities > CVE-2008-3279 - Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls vulnerability in Mielke Brltty 3.7.2

047910
CVSS 6.9 - MEDIUM
Attack vector
LOCAL
Attack complexity
MEDIUM
Privileges required
NONE
Confidentiality impact
COMPLETE
Integrity impact
COMPLETE
Availability impact
COMPLETE
local
mielke
CWE-264
nessus

Summary

Untrusted search path vulnerability in libbrlttybba.so in brltty 3.7.2 allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted library, related to an incorrect RPATH setting. Per: http://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/426.html 'CWE-426: Untrusted Search Path'

Vulnerable Configurations

Part Description Count
Application
Mielke
1

Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)

  • Accessing, Modifying or Executing Executable Files
    An attack of this type exploits a system's configuration that allows an attacker to either directly access an executable file, for example through shell access; or in a possible worst case allows an attacker to upload a file and then execute it. Web servers, ftp servers, and message oriented middleware systems which have many integration points are particularly vulnerable, because both the programmers and the administrators must be in synch regarding the interfaces and the correct privileges for each interface.
  • Leverage Executable Code in Non-Executable Files
    An attack of this type exploits a system's trust in configuration and resource files, when the executable loads the resource (such as an image file or configuration file) the attacker has modified the file to either execute malicious code directly or manipulate the target process (e.g. application server) to execute based on the malicious configuration parameters. Since systems are increasingly interrelated mashing up resources from local and remote sources the possibility of this attack occurring is high. The attack can be directed at a client system, such as causing buffer overrun through loading seemingly benign image files, as in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-028 where specially crafted JPEG files could cause a buffer overrun once loaded into the browser. Another example targets clients reading pdf files. In this case the attacker simply appends javascript to the end of a legitimate url for a pdf (http://www.gnucitizen.org/blog/danger-danger-danger/) http://path/to/pdf/file.pdf#whatever_name_you_want=javascript:your_code_here The client assumes that they are reading a pdf, but the attacker has modified the resource and loaded executable javascript into the client's browser process. The attack can also target server processes. The attacker edits the resource or configuration file, for example a web.xml file used to configure security permissions for a J2EE app server, adding role name "public" grants all users with the public role the ability to use the administration functionality. The server trusts its configuration file to be correct, but when they are manipulated, the attacker gains full control.
  • Blue Boxing
    This type of attack against older telephone switches and trunks has been around for decades. A tone is sent by an adversary to impersonate a supervisor signal which has the effect of rerouting or usurping command of the line. While the US infrastructure proper may not contain widespread vulnerabilities to this type of attack, many companies are connected globally through call centers and business process outsourcing. These international systems may be operated in countries which have not upgraded Telco infrastructure and so are vulnerable to Blue boxing. Blue boxing is a result of failure on the part of the system to enforce strong authorization for administrative functions. While the infrastructure is different than standard current applications like web applications, there are historical lessons to be learned to upgrade the access control for administrative functions.
  • Restful Privilege Elevation
    Rest uses standard HTTP (Get, Put, Delete) style permissions methods, but these are not necessarily correlated generally with back end programs. Strict interpretation of HTTP get methods means that these HTTP Get services should not be used to delete information on the server, but there is no access control mechanism to back up this logic. This means that unless the services are properly ACL'd and the application's service implementation are following these guidelines then an HTTP request can easily execute a delete or update on the server side. The attacker identifies a HTTP Get URL such as http://victimsite/updateOrder, which calls out to a program to update orders on a database or other resource. The URL is not idempotent so the request can be submitted multiple times by the attacker, additionally, the attacker may be able to exploit the URL published as a Get method that actually performs updates (instead of merely retrieving data). This may result in malicious or inadvertent altering of data on the server.
  • Target Programs with Elevated Privileges
    This attack targets programs running with elevated privileges. The attacker would try to leverage a bug in the running program and get arbitrary code to execute with elevated privileges. For instance an attacker would look for programs that write to the system directories or registry keys (such as HKLM, which stores a number of critical Windows environment variables). These programs are typically running with elevated privileges and have usually not been designed with security in mind. Such programs are excellent exploit targets because they yield lots of power when they break. The malicious user try to execute its code at the same level as a privileged system call.

Nessus

  • NASL familyScientific Linux Local Security Checks
    NASL idSL_20100330_BRLTTY_ON_SL5_X.NASL
    descriptionIt was discovered that a brltty library had an insecure relative RPATH (runtime library search path) set in the ELF (Executable and Linking Format) header. A local user able to convince another user to run an application using brltty in an attacker-controlled directory, could run arbitrary code with the privileges of the victim. (CVE-2008-3279) These updated packages also provide fixes for the following bugs : - the brltty configuration file is documented in the brltty manual page, but there is no separate manual page for the /etc/brltty.conf configuration file: running
    last seen2020-06-01
    modified2020-06-02
    plugin id60762
    published2012-08-01
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2012-2019 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/60762
    titleScientific Linux Security Update : brltty on SL5.x i386/x86_64
  • NASL familyRed Hat Local Security Checks
    NASL idREDHAT-RHSA-2010-0181.NASL
    descriptionUpdated brltty packages that fix one security issue and several bugs are now available for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5. The Red Hat Security Response Team has rated this update as having low security impact. A Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) base score, which gives a detailed severity rating, is available from the CVE link in the References section. brltty (Braille TTY) is a background process (daemon) which provides access to the Linux console (when in text mode) for a blind person using a refreshable braille display. It drives the braille display, and provides complete screen review functionality. It was discovered that a brltty library had an insecure relative RPATH (runtime library search path) set in the ELF (Executable and Linking Format) header. A local user able to convince another user to run an application using brltty in an attacker-controlled directory, could run arbitrary code with the privileges of the victim. (CVE-2008-3279) These updated packages also provide fixes for the following bugs : * the brltty configuration file is documented in the brltty manual page, but there is no separate manual page for the /etc/brltty.conf configuration file: running
    last seen2020-06-01
    modified2020-06-02
    plugin id46283
    published2010-05-11
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2010-2019 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/46283
    titleRHEL 5 : brltty (RHSA-2010:0181)
  • NASL familyMandriva Local Security Checks
    NASL idMANDRIVA_MDVSA-2010-080.NASL
    descriptionA vulnerability has been found and corrected in brltty : Untrusted search path vulnerability in libbrlttybba.so in brltty 3.7.2 allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted library, related to an incorrect RPATH setting (CVE-2008-3279). Packages for 2008.0 are provided for Corporate Desktop 2008.0 customers. The updated packages have been patched to correct this issue.
    last seen2020-06-01
    modified2020-06-02
    plugin id45565
    published2010-04-19
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2010-2019 Tenable Network Security, Inc.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/45565
    titleMandriva Linux Security Advisory : brltty (MDVSA-2010:080)

Oval

accepted2013-04-08T04:00:06.560-04:00
classvulnerability
contributors
  • nameAharon Chernin
    organizationSCAP.com, LLC
  • nameDragos Prisaca
    organizationG2, Inc.
definition_extensions
commentThe operating system installed on the system is Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5
ovaloval:org.mitre.oval:def:11414
descriptionUntrusted search path vulnerability in libbrlttybba.so in brltty 3.7.2 allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted library, related to an incorrect RPATH setting.
familyunix
idoval:org.mitre.oval:def:11399
statusaccepted
submitted2010-07-09T03:56:16-04:00
titleUntrusted search path vulnerability in libbrlttybba.so in brltty 3.7.2 allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted library, related to an incorrect RPATH setting.
version7

Redhat

advisories
bugzilla
id530554
titleMissing man-pages
oval
OR
  • commentRed Hat Enterprise Linux must be installed
    ovaloval:com.redhat.rhba:tst:20070304026
  • AND
    • commentRed Hat Enterprise Linux 5 is installed
      ovaloval:com.redhat.rhba:tst:20070331005
    • OR
      • AND
        • commentbrlapi is earlier than 0:0.4.1-4.el5
          ovaloval:com.redhat.rhsa:tst:20100181001
        • commentbrlapi is signed with Red Hat redhatrelease key
          ovaloval:com.redhat.rhsa:tst:20100181002
      • AND
        • commentbrltty is earlier than 0:3.7.2-4.el5
          ovaloval:com.redhat.rhsa:tst:20100181003
        • commentbrltty is signed with Red Hat redhatrelease key
          ovaloval:com.redhat.rhsa:tst:20100181004
      • AND
        • commentbrlapi-devel is earlier than 0:0.4.1-4.el5
          ovaloval:com.redhat.rhsa:tst:20100181005
        • commentbrlapi-devel is signed with Red Hat redhatrelease key
          ovaloval:com.redhat.rhsa:tst:20100181006
rhsa
idRHSA-2010:0181
released2010-03-29
severityLow
titleRHSA-2010:0181: brltty security and bug fix update (Low)
rpms
  • brlapi-0:0.4.1-4.el5
  • brlapi-devel-0:0.4.1-4.el5
  • brltty-0:3.7.2-4.el5
  • brltty-debuginfo-0:3.7.2-4.el5