Ubuntu update for KConfig and KDE libraries

Published: 2019-08-19

Risk	High
Patch available	YES
Number of vulnerabilities	2
CVE-ID	CVE-2019-14744 CVE-2016-6232
CWE-ID	CWE-78 CWE-22
Exploitation vector	Network
Public exploit	Public exploit code for vulnerability #1 is available.
Vulnerable software	kconfig (Ubuntu package) Operating systems & Components / Operating system package or component kde4libs (Ubuntu package) Operating systems & Components / Operating system package or component
Vendor	Canonical Ltd.

Security Bulletin

This security bulletin contains information about 2 vulnerabilities.

1) OS Command Injection

EUVDB-ID: #VU19947

Risk: High

CVSSv4.0: 7 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:P/U:Amber]

CVE-ID: CVE-2019-14744

CWE-ID: CWE-78 - Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')

Exploit availability: No

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary shell commands on the target system.

The vulnerability exists due to improper input validation when processing .desktop and .directory files within the KConfigGroup::readEntry() function. A remote attacker can create a specially crafted file or folder, trick the user into opening it and execute arbitrary OS commands with privileges of the current user.

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may result in complete compromise of vulnerable system.

Examples:

1) payload.desktop

[Desktop Entry]
Icon[$e]=$(echo${IFS}0>~/Desktop/zero.lol&)

2) .directory

[Desktop Entry]
Type=Directory
Icon[$e]=$(echo${IFS}0>~/Desktop/zero.lol&)

Mitigation

Update the affected packages.

Ubuntu 19.04: libkdecore5 - 4:4.14.38-0ubuntu6.1; libkf5configcore5 - 5.56.0-0ubuntu1.1
Ubuntu 18.04 LTS: libkdecore5 - 4:4.14.38-0ubuntu3.1; libkf5configcore5 - 5.44.0-0ubuntu1.1
Ubuntu 16.04 LTS: libkdecore5 - 4:4.14.16-0ubuntu3.3; libkf5configcore5 - 5.18.0-0ubuntu1.1

Vulnerable software versions

kconfig (Ubuntu package): 5.18.0-0ubuntu1 - 5.56.0-0ubuntu1

kde4libs (Ubuntu package): 4:4.14.16-0ubuntu3.1 - 4:4.14.16-0ubuntu3.2

CPE2.3

External links

https://usn.ubuntu.com/4100-1/

Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the Internet.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability. However, proof of concept for this vulnerability is available.

2) Path traversal

EUVDB-ID: #VU20302

Risk: Medium

CVSSv4.0: 1 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:L/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Green]

CVE-ID: CVE-2016-6232

CWE-ID: CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')