CVE-2000-0724 in Go-Gnome Pre-Installer
Summary
by MITRE
The go-gnome Helix GNOME pre-installer allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on various files in /tmp, including uudecode, snarf, and some installer files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/06/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2000-0724 represents a critical security flaw in the go-gnome Helix GNOME pre-installer package that was prevalent in early linux distributions. This issue stems from poor privilege handling and insecure temporary file creation practices within the installer's execution environment. The vulnerability specifically targets the /tmp directory, which serves as a common location for temporary files and is often world-writable, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to exploit insecure file operations. The affected installer components include uudecode and snarf utilities along with various installer files that are processed during the pre-installation phase of the go-gnome Helix package.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on a classic symlink attack pattern where a local attacker creates symbolic links in the /tmp directory that point to critical system files or configuration files. When the installer executes and processes these temporary files, it follows the symbolic links and writes data to the target files instead of the intended temporary locations. This creates a privilege escalation scenario where unprivileged users can modify files that should only be accessible to system administrators or the root user. The flaw demonstrates a clear violation of secure coding practices and represents a fundamental failure in input validation and file handling within the installer's execution context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file overwriting, as it can potentially allow attackers to modify critical system components, configuration files, or even inject malicious code into the installation process. Attackers could leverage this weakness to compromise the integrity of the entire GNOME desktop environment or system utilities that depend on the installed packages. The vulnerability affects systems where the go-gnome Helix pre-installer is used, particularly those running older versions of linux distributions that were common in the late 1990s and early 2000s. This type of attack represents a significant threat to system security, as it allows local privilege escalation through seemingly benign installation processes that are typically trusted by users and system administrators.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper secure file handling practices and addressing the underlying symlink attack vectors. The most effective approach involves ensuring that temporary files are created with proper permissions and are not susceptible to symlink attacks by using secure temporary file creation functions that guarantee file uniqueness and proper access control. System administrators should also consider implementing file system hardening measures that restrict symbolic link creation in temporary directories or using more restrictive temporary file creation mechanisms. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-377 which addresses insecure temporary file creation and CWE-378 which deals with insecure temporary file handling, both of which are fundamental security concerns in system programming. From an attacker perspective, this vulnerability would map to techniques described in the attack pattern taxonomy under privilege escalation and file system exploitation categories, making it a significant concern for system security hardening efforts.