Adobe Version Cue VCNative Arbitrary Library Loading Vulnerability iDEFENSE Security Advisory 08.29.05 www.idefense.com/application/poi/display?id=296&type=vulnerabilities August 29, 2005 I. BACKGROUND Adobe Version Cue is a software version tracking system for Adobe products distributed with Adobe Creative Suite and select Adobe products. II. DESCRIPTION Local exploitation of a design error in Adobe Systems, Inc. Version Cue allows local attackers to gain root privileges. Version Cue includes a setuid root application named VCNative which contains a design error that allows local attackers to gain root privileges. The vulnerability specifically exists due to an unchecked command line option parameter. The "-lib" command line option allows users to specify library "bundles" which allows for the introduction of arbitrary code in the context of a root owned process. The init function in a shared library is executed immediately upon loading. By utilizing the "-lib" argument to load a malicious library, local attackers can execute arbitrary code with root privileges. III. ANALYSIS Successful exploitation allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code with root privileges. The attack method is trivial and requires no specialized exploit code or skill by the attacker. Simply compiling a shared library with malicious code is all that is required to gain control of the system. It should be noted that VCNative must connect to a valid host before loading libraries. The vulnerability is not exposed if VCNative has not been configured with a proper host value. In addition, the vulnerability affects only the Apple OS X platform and is only installed with Adobe Creative Suite or other Adobe products. IV. DETECTION iDEFENSE Labs has confirmed the existence of this vulnerability in Adobe Version Cue version 1 on the Apple OS X platform. V. WORKAROUND As a workaround solution, remove the setuid bit from the VCNative binary and execute the application as a root user when necessary. VI. VENDOR RESPONSE Adobe Version Cue Update 2 which addresses this vulnerability, is available for download at: http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=2985 The vendor advisory for this vulnerability is located at: http://www.adobe.com/support/techdocs/327129.html VII. CVE INFORMATION The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) project has assigned the name CAN-2005-1843 to this issue. This is a candidate for inclusion in the CVE list (http://cve.mitre.org), which standardizes names for security problems. VIII. DISCLOSURE TIMELINE 06/27/2005 Initial vendor notification 06/27/2005 Initial vendor response 08/29/2005 Public disclosure IX. CREDIT vade79 (http://fakehalo.us) is credited with this discovery. Get paid for vulnerability research http://www.idefense.com/poi/teams/vcp.jsp Free tools, research and upcoming events http://labs.idefense.com X. LEGAL NOTICES Copyright (c) 2005 iDEFENSE, Inc. Permission is granted for the redistribution of this alert electronically. It may not be edited in any way without the express written consent of iDEFENSE. If you wish to reprint the whole or any part of this alert in any other medium other than electronically, please email customerservice@private for permission. Disclaimer: The information in the advisory is believed to be accurate at the time of publishing based on currently available information. Use of the information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS condition. There are no warranties with regard to this information. Neither the author nor the publisher accepts any liability for any direct, indirect, or consequential loss or damage arising from use of, or reliance on, this information.
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