Bash Path Embedded Code Execution Vulnerability

BID:119

Info

Bash Path Embedded Code Execution Vulnerability

Bugtraq ID: 119
Class: Input Validation Error
CVE:
Remote: Yes
Local: Yes
Published: Apr 20 1999 12:00AM
Updated: Apr 20 1999 12:00AM
Credit: This bug was made public by Shadow <[email protected]>.
Vulnerable: GNU GNU bash 1.14
Not Vulnerable: GNU GNU bash 2.3
GNU GNU bash 2.2
GNU GNU bash 2.1
GNU GNU bash 2.0

Discussion

Bash Path Embedded Code Execution Vulnerability

A vulnerability in bash may allow inadvertently running commands embedded in the path to the currently working directory.

If an unsuspecting user enters a directory created by some malicious user with embedded commands, and their prompt (PS1) contains '\w' or '\W', and the prompt is displayed the commands will be executed. The vulnerability is in the parsing of the '\w' and '\W' escape codes.

As the prompt must be displayed unattended shell scripts are not vulnerable.

References

Bash Path Embedded Code Execution Vulnerability

References:

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