Vulnerabilities > CVE-2008-5660 - USE of Externally-Controlled Format String vulnerability in Gnome Vinagre

047910
CVSS 6.8 - MEDIUM
Attack vector
NETWORK
Attack complexity
MEDIUM
Privileges required
NONE
Confidentiality impact
PARTIAL
Integrity impact
PARTIAL
Availability impact
PARTIAL
network
gnome
CWE-134
nessus
exploit available

Summary

Format string vulnerability in the vinagre_utils_show_error function (src/vinagre-utils.c) in Vinagre 0.5.x before 0.5.2 and 2.x before 2.24.2 might allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via format string specifiers in a crafted URI or VNC server response.

Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)

  • Format String Injection
    An attacker includes formatting characters in a string input field on the target application. Most applications assume that users will provide static text and may respond unpredictably to the presence of formatting character. For example, in certain functions of the C programming languages such as printf, the formatting character %s will print the contents of a memory location expecting this location to identify a string and the formatting character %n prints the number of DWORD written in the memory. An attacker can use this to read or write to memory locations or files, or simply to manipulate the value of the resulting text in unexpected ways. Reading or writing memory may result in program crashes and writing memory could result in the execution of arbitrary code if the attacker can write to the program stack.
  • String Format Overflow in syslog()
    This attack targets the format string vulnerabilities in the syslog() function. An attacker would typically inject malicious input in the format string parameter of the syslog function. This is a common problem, and many public vulnerabilities and associated exploits have been posted.

Exploit-Db

descriptionVinagre < 2.24.2 show_error() Remote Format String PoC. CVE-2008-5660. Dos exploit for windows platform
fileexploits/windows/dos/7401.txt
idEDB-ID:7401
last seen2016-02-01
modified2008-12-09
platformwindows
port
published2008-12-09
reporterCore Security
sourcehttps://www.exploit-db.com/download/7401/
titleVinagre < 2.24.2 show_error Remote Format String PoC
typedos

Nessus

  • NASL familyGentoo Local Security Checks
    NASL idGENTOO_GLSA-200903-01.NASL
    descriptionThe remote host is affected by the vulnerability described in GLSA-200903-01 (Vinagre: User-assisted execution of arbitrary code) Alfredo Ortega (Core Security Technologies) reported a format string error in the vinagre_utils_show_error() function in src/vinagre-utils.c. Impact : A remote attacker could entice a user into opening a specially crafted .vnc file or connecting to a malicious server, possibly resulting in the remote execution of arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the application. Workaround : There is no known workaround at this time.
    last seen2020-06-01
    modified2020-06-02
    plugin id35791
    published2009-03-08
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2009-2019 Tenable Network Security, Inc.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/35791
    titleGLSA-200903-01 : Vinagre: User-assisted execution of arbitrary code
    code
    #%NASL_MIN_LEVEL 80502
    #
    # (C) Tenable Network Security, Inc.
    #
    # The descriptive text and package checks in this plugin were
    # extracted from Gentoo Linux Security Advisory GLSA 200903-01.
    #
    # The advisory text is Copyright (C) 2001-2015 Gentoo Foundation, Inc.
    # and licensed under the Creative Commons - Attribution / Share Alike 
    # license. See http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
    #
    
    include("compat.inc");
    
    if (description)
    {
      script_id(35791);
      script_version("1.12");
      script_cvs_date("Date: 2019/08/02 13:32:45");
    
      script_cve_id("CVE-2008-5660");
      script_xref(name:"GLSA", value:"200903-01");
    
      script_name(english:"GLSA-200903-01 : Vinagre: User-assisted execution of arbitrary code");
      script_summary(english:"Checks for updated package(s) in /var/db/pkg");
    
      script_set_attribute(
        attribute:"synopsis", 
        value:
    "The remote Gentoo host is missing one or more security-related
    patches."
      );
      script_set_attribute(
        attribute:"description", 
        value:
    "The remote host is affected by the vulnerability described in GLSA-200903-01
    (Vinagre: User-assisted execution of arbitrary code)
    
        Alfredo Ortega (Core Security Technologies) reported a format string
        error in the vinagre_utils_show_error() function in
        src/vinagre-utils.c.
      
    Impact :
    
        A remote attacker could entice a user into opening a specially crafted
        .vnc file or connecting to a malicious server, possibly resulting in
        the remote execution of arbitrary code with the privileges of the user
        running the application.
      
    Workaround :
    
        There is no known workaround at this time."
      );
      script_set_attribute(
        attribute:"see_also",
        value:"https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/200903-01"
      );
      script_set_attribute(
        attribute:"solution", 
        value:
    "All Vinagre users should upgrade to the latest version:
        # emerge --sync
        # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose '>=net-misc/vinagre-0.5.2'"
      );
      script_set_cvss_base_vector("CVSS2#AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P");
      script_cwe_id(134);
    
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_type", value:"local");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:gentoo:linux:vinagre");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:gentoo:linux");
    
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"patch_publication_date", value:"2009/03/06");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_publication_date", value:"2009/03/08");
      script_end_attributes();
    
      script_category(ACT_GATHER_INFO);
      script_copyright(english:"This script is Copyright (C) 2009-2019 Tenable Network Security, Inc.");
      script_family(english:"Gentoo Local Security Checks");
    
      script_dependencies("ssh_get_info.nasl");
      script_require_keys("Host/local_checks_enabled", "Host/Gentoo/release", "Host/Gentoo/qpkg-list");
    
      exit(0);
    }
    
    
    include("audit.inc");
    include("global_settings.inc");
    include("qpkg.inc");
    
    if (!get_kb_item("Host/local_checks_enabled")) audit(AUDIT_LOCAL_CHECKS_NOT_ENABLED);
    if (!get_kb_item("Host/Gentoo/release")) audit(AUDIT_OS_NOT, "Gentoo");
    if (!get_kb_item("Host/Gentoo/qpkg-list")) audit(AUDIT_PACKAGE_LIST_MISSING);
    
    
    flag = 0;
    
    if (qpkg_check(package:"net-misc/vinagre", unaffected:make_list("ge 0.5.2"), vulnerable:make_list("lt 0.5.2"))) flag++;
    
    if (flag)
    {
      if (report_verbosity > 0) security_warning(port:0, extra:qpkg_report_get());
      else security_warning(0);
      exit(0);
    }
    else
    {
      tested = qpkg_tests_get();
      if (tested) audit(AUDIT_PACKAGE_NOT_AFFECTED, tested);
      else audit(AUDIT_PACKAGE_NOT_INSTALLED, "Vinagre");
    }
    
  • NASL familyFreeBSD Local Security Checks
    NASL idFREEBSD_PKG_214E8E07D36911DDB800001B77D09812.NASL
    descriptionCORE Security Technologies reports : A format string error has been found on the vinagre_utils_show_error() function that can be exploited via commands issued from a malicious server containing format string specifiers on the VNC name. In a web-based attack scenario, the user would be required to connect to a malicious server. Successful exploitation would then allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Vinagre user.
    last seen2020-06-01
    modified2020-06-02
    plugin id35284
    published2009-01-02
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2009-2019 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/35284
    titleFreeBSD : vinagre -- format string vulnerability (214e8e07-d369-11dd-b800-001b77d09812)
    code
    #%NASL_MIN_LEVEL 80502
    #
    # (C) Tenable Network Security, Inc.
    #
    # The descriptive text and package checks in this plugin were  
    # extracted from the FreeBSD VuXML database :
    #
    # Copyright 2003-2018 Jacques Vidrine and contributors
    #
    # Redistribution and use in source (VuXML) and 'compiled' forms (SGML,
    # HTML, PDF, PostScript, RTF and so forth) with or without modification,
    # are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
    # 1. Redistributions of source code (VuXML) must retain the above
    #    copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following
    #    disclaimer as the first lines of this file unmodified.
    # 2. Redistributions in compiled form (transformed to other DTDs,
    #    published online in any format, converted to PDF, PostScript,
    #    RTF and other formats) must reproduce the above copyright
    #    notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer
    #    in the documentation and/or other materials provided with the
    #    distribution.
    # 
    # THIS DOCUMENTATION IS PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS"
    # AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
    # THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
    # PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHOR OR CONTRIBUTORS
    # BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY,
    # OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT
    # OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR
    # BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY,
    # WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE
    # OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS DOCUMENTATION,
    # EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
    #
    
    include("compat.inc");
    
    if (description)
    {
      script_id(35284);
      script_version("1.17");
      script_cvs_date("Date: 2019/08/02 13:32:39");
    
      script_cve_id("CVE-2008-5660");
      script_bugtraq_id(32682);
    
      script_name(english:"FreeBSD : vinagre -- format string vulnerability (214e8e07-d369-11dd-b800-001b77d09812)");
      script_summary(english:"Checks for updated package in pkg_info output");
    
      script_set_attribute(
        attribute:"synopsis", 
        value:"The remote FreeBSD host is missing a security-related update."
      );
      script_set_attribute(
        attribute:"description", 
        value:
    "CORE Security Technologies reports :
    
    A format string error has been found on the vinagre_utils_show_error()
    function that can be exploited via commands issued from a malicious
    server containing format string specifiers on the VNC name.
    
    In a web-based attack scenario, the user would be required to connect
    to a malicious server. Successful exploitation would then allow the
    attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Vinagre
    user."
      );
      # http://www.coresecurity.com/content/vinagre-format-string
      script_set_attribute(
        attribute:"see_also",
        value:"https://www.secureauth.com/labs/advisories/vinagre-format-string"
      );
      script_set_attribute(
        attribute:"see_also",
        value:"http://ftp.gnome.org/pub/GNOME/sources/vinagre/0.5/vinagre-0.5.2.news"
      );
      # https://vuxml.freebsd.org/freebsd/214e8e07-d369-11dd-b800-001b77d09812.html
      script_set_attribute(
        attribute:"see_also",
        value:"http://www.nessus.org/u?29a63dcc"
      );
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"solution", value:"Update the affected package.");
      script_set_cvss_base_vector("CVSS2#AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P");
      script_set_cvss_temporal_vector("CVSS2#E:POC/RL:OF/RC:C");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploitability_ease", value:"Exploits are available");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_available", value:"true");
      script_cwe_id(134);
    
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_type", value:"local");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:freebsd:freebsd:vinagre");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:freebsd:freebsd");
    
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"vuln_publication_date", value:"2008/12/09");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"patch_publication_date", value:"2008/12/31");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_publication_date", value:"2009/01/02");
      script_end_attributes();
    
      script_category(ACT_GATHER_INFO);
      script_copyright(english:"This script is Copyright (C) 2009-2019 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.");
      script_family(english:"FreeBSD Local Security Checks");
    
      script_dependencies("ssh_get_info.nasl");
      script_require_keys("Host/local_checks_enabled", "Host/FreeBSD/release", "Host/FreeBSD/pkg_info");
    
      exit(0);
    }
    
    
    include("audit.inc");
    include("freebsd_package.inc");
    
    
    if (!get_kb_item("Host/local_checks_enabled")) audit(AUDIT_LOCAL_CHECKS_NOT_ENABLED);
    if (!get_kb_item("Host/FreeBSD/release")) audit(AUDIT_OS_NOT, "FreeBSD");
    if (!get_kb_item("Host/FreeBSD/pkg_info")) audit(AUDIT_PACKAGE_LIST_MISSING);
    
    
    flag = 0;
    
    if (pkg_test(save_report:TRUE, pkg:"vinagre<0.5.2")) flag++;
    
    if (flag)
    {
      if (report_verbosity > 0) security_warning(port:0, extra:pkg_report_get());
      else security_warning(0);
      exit(0);
    }
    else audit(AUDIT_HOST_NOT, "affected");
    
  • NASL familySuSE Local Security Checks
    NASL idSUSE_11_1_VINAGRE-090108.NASL
    descriptionA format string problem in vinagre potentially allowed malicious VNC servers to have a vinagre client that connects to the server execute arbitrary code. (CVE-2008-5660)
    last seen2020-06-01
    modified2020-06-02
    plugin id40318
    published2009-07-21
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2009-2019 Tenable Network Security, Inc.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/40318
    titleopenSUSE Security Update : vinagre (vinagre-402)
  • NASL familyUbuntu Local Security Checks
    NASL idUBUNTU_USN-689-1.NASL
    descriptionAlfredo Ortega discovered a flaw in Vinagre
    last seen2020-06-01
    modified2020-06-02
    plugin id36896
    published2009-04-23
    reporterUbuntu Security Notice (C) 2008-2019 Canonical, Inc. / NASL script (C) 2009-2018 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/36896
    titleUbuntu 8.04 LTS / 8.10 : vinagre vulnerability (USN-689-1)
  • NASL familyMandriva Local Security Checks
    NASL idMANDRIVA_MDVSA-2008-240.NASL
    descriptionAlfredo Ortega found a flaw in how Vinagre uses format strings. A remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability if they were able to trick a user into connecting to a malicious VNC server, or opening a specially crafted URI with Vinagre. With older versions of Vinagre, it was possible to execute arbitrary code with user privileges. In later versions, Vinagre would abort, leading to a denial of service. The updated packages have been patched to prevent this issue.
    last seen2020-06-01
    modified2020-06-02
    plugin id38069
    published2009-04-23
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2009-2019 Tenable Network Security, Inc.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/38069
    titleMandriva Linux Security Advisory : vinagre (MDVSA-2008:240)
  • NASL familySuSE Local Security Checks
    NASL idSUSE_11_0_VINAGRE-090108.NASL
    descriptionA format string problem in vinagre potentially allowed malicious VNC servers to have a vinagre client that connects to the server execute arbitrary code. (CVE-2008-5660)
    last seen2020-06-01
    modified2020-06-02
    plugin id40148
    published2009-07-21
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2009-2019 Tenable Network Security, Inc.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/40148
    titleopenSUSE Security Update : vinagre (vinagre-402)
  • NASL familyFedora Local Security Checks
    NASL idFEDORA_2008-10932.NASL
    descriptionNew upstream release 0.5.2 fixing format string flaw in vinagre_utils_show_error(). Note that Tenable Network Security has extracted the preceding description block directly from the Fedora security advisory. Tenable has attempted to automatically clean and format it as much as possible without introducing additional issues.
    last seen2020-06-01
    modified2020-06-02
    plugin id35062
    published2008-12-09
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2008-2019 Tenable Network Security, Inc.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/35062
    titleFedora 9 : vinagre-0.5.2-1.fc9 (2008-10932)
  • NASL familyFedora Local Security Checks
    NASL idFEDORA_2008-10941.NASL
    descriptionUpdate backports fix for a format string flaw in vinagre_utils_show_error() from new upstream 0.5.2 / 2.24.2. Note that Tenable Network Security has extracted the preceding description block directly from the Fedora security advisory. Tenable has attempted to automatically clean and format it as much as possible without introducing additional issues.
    last seen2020-06-01
    modified2020-06-02
    plugin id35064
    published2008-12-09
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2008-2019 Tenable Network Security, Inc.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/35064
    titleFedora 8 : vinagre-0.4-2.fc8 (2008-10941)