CVE-2009-0947
📋 TL;DR
Multiple integer overflow vulnerabilities in the file command's CDF parsing functions allow memory corruption when processing malicious files. This affects systems using vulnerable versions of the file utility to process untrusted files, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution.
💻 Affected Systems
- file
📦 What is this software?
Files by Apple
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Remote code execution with the privileges of the user running the file command, potentially leading to full system compromise.
Likely Case
Application crash (denial of service) when processing malicious files, with potential for code execution in specific configurations.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if file command runs with minimal privileges and doesn't process untrusted input.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction to process malicious files. Proof-of-concept code exists in security advisories.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 5.02 and later
Vendor Advisory: https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=498682
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Update file package using system package manager. 2. For Red Hat/CentOS: yum update file. 3. For Debian/Ubuntu: apt-get update && apt-get install file. 4. Verify version with 'file --version'.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict file command usage
linuxLimit file command execution to trusted users and processes
chmod 750 /usr/bin/file
setfacl -m u:trusteduser:rx /usr/bin/file
Sandbox file processing
linuxRun file command in restricted environments when processing untrusted files
firejail --net=none --private /usr/bin/file malicious.doc
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Disable file command processing of CDF files through configuration if possible
- Implement strict input validation and sandboxing for any application using file command on untrusted input
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Run 'file --version' and check if version is below 5.02Check Version:
file --version | head -1Verify Fix Applied:
Run 'file --version' and confirm version is 5.02 or higher📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Segmentation fault or crash logs from file command
- Unexpected process termination of file utility
Network Indicators:
- Unusual file uploads followed by file command execution
- Multiple failed file analysis attempts
SIEM Query:
process.name="file" AND (event.action="segmentation_fault" OR exit_code="139")