CVE-2000-0864 in esound
Summary
by MITRE
Race condition in the creation of a Unix domain socket in GNOME esound 0.2.19 and earlier allows a local user to change the permissions of arbitrary files and directories, and gain additional privileges, via a symlink attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/23/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2000-0864 represents a critical race condition flaw in the GNOME esound 0.2.19 and earlier versions that affects Unix domain socket creation processes. This issue stems from improper handling of temporary file creation during the esound service initialization, creating a window where malicious local users can exploit the system's timing dependencies to manipulate file permissions and potentially escalate privileges. The vulnerability specifically targets the way esound manages socket file creation in the filesystem, allowing attackers to manipulate the symbolic link structure to gain unauthorized access to system resources.
The technical implementation of this race condition occurs when esound creates Unix domain sockets in temporary directories without proper atomic file creation mechanisms. During the socket creation process, the application first checks for the existence of a socket file and then proceeds to create it, leaving a temporal gap where an attacker can substitute a symbolic link for the intended socket file. This fundamental flaw aligns with CWE-367, which specifically addresses time-of-check to time-of-use vulnerabilities, where the state of a resource changes between the moment it is checked and when it is used. The race condition creates a window of opportunity where attackers can manipulate the filesystem to redirect the socket creation process to a location of their choosing, effectively allowing them to modify permissions of arbitrary files and directories within the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass broader system compromise capabilities. Local attackers can leverage this weakness to manipulate file permissions and potentially gain access to sensitive system resources that should normally be restricted to privileged users. The attack vector specifically targets the esound service which runs with elevated privileges, making the potential damage significant for any system where this service is active. This vulnerability demonstrates a classic example of how improper file system handling in system services can create attack surfaces that allow local privilege escalation, with implications for system integrity and confidentiality. The issue is particularly concerning in multi-user environments where local users might attempt to exploit this weakness to gain additional system access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2000-0864 require immediate attention through software updates and system hardening measures. The most effective solution involves upgrading to esound versions that address this race condition through proper atomic file creation mechanisms and the implementation of secure temporary file handling. System administrators should also implement proper access controls and monitoring for socket file creation activities to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in various security frameworks, including proper handling of temporary files and atomic operations to prevent time-of-check to time-of-use race conditions. Additionally, implementing the principle of least privilege and monitoring for unauthorized file permission changes can help detect exploitation attempts, while regular security audits should verify that system services properly handle file system operations without creating exploitable race conditions. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security updates addressing such fundamental flaws in system services.