Local File Overwrite Vulnerability in Dmidecode Package
Summary
DEBIAN-CVE-2023-30630: Dmidecode before 3.5 allows -dump-bin to overwrite a local file. Affects dmidecode versions < 3.5-1. Fixed in 3.5-1. How to fix ↓
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Background
Dmidecode is a tool for retrieving hardware information from the BIOS. It provides a way to decode the data structures in the system's DMI (Desktop Management Interface) table, which contains information about the system's hardware components. The Dmidecode package is widely used in various Linux distributions, including Debian. However, prior to version 3.5, Dmidecode had a vulnerability that allowed users to overwrite local files when using the '-dump-bin' option, which could lead to unauthorized privilege escalation.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in Dmidecode, identified as CVE-2023-30630, allows the '-dump-bin' command to overwrite local files. This poses a significant security risk, especially when Dmidecode is executed with elevated privileges (e.g., via Sudo). Although a patch was introduced in version 3.5 to mitigate this issue, some experts argue that it does not fully address the vulnerability, as there are alternative attack vectors that could still lead to privilege escalation without overwriting existing files.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
3.5-1
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade dmidecodeTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, avoid using the '-dump-bin' option with Dmidecode until you can update to the patched version. Additionally, consider running Dmidecode with restricted permissions to minimize the risk of privilege escalation.
Conclusion
The Dmidecode package has a significant vulnerability that allows local file overwriting, which can lead to unauthorized privilege escalation. It is crucial to update to version 3.5-1 or later to mitigate this risk. Users should also consider using workarounds until they can apply the necessary updates.
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FAQ
The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized privilege escalation, allowing attackers to overwrite local files and potentially execute malicious code.
You can use the Vulert platform to monitor and alert for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. Visit Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without needing to sign up.
If an immediate update is not possible, refrain from using the '-dump-bin' option and run Dmidecode with limited permissions to reduce risk.
While the patch in version 3.5-1 addresses the file overwriting issue, some experts believe it does not cover all potential attack vectors.
For more details about Dmidecode, you can refer to its official documentation or the Debian package repository.
References
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for dmidecode.
