CVE-2017-16997 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

CVE-2017-16997, also known as glibc vulnerability, affects versions 2.19 through 2.26 of the GNU C Library (glibc or libc6). The vulnerability allows local users to gain elevated privileges by manipulating RPATH and RUNPATH in privileged programs.

Understanding CVE-2017-16997

This CVE involves a specific misinterpretation of RPATH and RUNPATH in glibc versions 2.19 through 2.26, potentially leading to privilege escalation.

What is CVE-2017-16997?

The vulnerability in the elf/dl-load.c file of glibc versions 2.19 through 2.26 allows local users to exploit RPATH and RUNPATH containing $ORIGIN in privileged programs, enabling them to introduce a malicious library and gain elevated privileges.

The Impact of CVE-2017-16997

The vulnerability can be exploited by local users to escalate their privileges in systems running affected versions of glibc. However, the specific configuration required for exploitation is rare in common Linux distributions.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-16997

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from the mishandling of RPATH and RUNPATH containing $ORIGIN in privileged programs, allowing local users to introduce malicious libraries and elevate their privileges.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: glibc 2.19 through 2.26
Vendor: n/a

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability is exploited by manipulating RPATH and RUNPATH in privileged programs, such as setuid or AT_SECURE, to introduce a malicious library in the current working directory.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2017-16997 and enhance system security, follow these mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Regularly monitor and update glibc to patched versions.
Implement strict file permissions to limit access to sensitive directories.
Avoid running privileged programs with unnecessary elevated privileges.

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security audits to identify and address vulnerabilities.
Educate users on safe practices to prevent the introduction of malicious libraries.
Implement secure coding practices to minimize the risk of privilege escalation.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by the GNU C Library maintainers to fix the vulnerability.