CVE-2001-0310 in FreeBSD
Summary
by MITRE
sort in FreeBSD 4.1.1 and earlier, and possibly other operating systems, uses predictable temporary file names and does not properly handle when the temporary file already exists, which causes sort to crash and possibly impacts security-sensitive scripts.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/13/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0310 affects the sort utility in FreeBSD 4.1.1 and earlier versions, with potential impacts extending to other operating systems. This issue stems from the insecure generation of temporary file names within the sort command implementation, creating predictable patterns that adversaries can exploit. The vulnerability manifests when sort creates temporary files during its operation, using predictable naming conventions that allow attackers to anticipate file locations and potentially manipulate the sorting process.
The technical flaw involves the sort utility's improper handling of temporary file creation processes, specifically its reliance on predictable naming schemes that do not incorporate sufficient entropy or randomization. When sort generates temporary files, it uses patterns that can be easily guessed or reproduced by an attacker, creating opportunities for race conditions and file manipulation attacks. The vulnerability becomes particularly dangerous when the temporary file already exists, as the utility fails to properly validate or handle existing files, leading to potential crashes or unexpected behavior that can be exploited for privilege escalation or denial of service attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system instability to potentially compromise security-sensitive scripts that rely on the sort utility. When sort crashes due to predictable temporary file handling, it can cause cascading failures in automated processes, particularly in shell scripts or system administration tasks where sorting operations are routine. The vulnerability enables attackers to potentially inject malicious content into temporary files or cause the sort utility to process unintended data, leading to arbitrary code execution in scenarios where sort is executed with elevated privileges or in security-critical contexts.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-377, which addresses insecure temporary file creation, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script execution and T1499.004 for endpoint denial of service. The predictable temporary file naming pattern represents a fundamental flaw in the utility's security design that violates principles of secure programming practices. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of FreeBSD, applying security patches, and implementing temporary workarounds such as using alternative sorting utilities or modifying system configurations to prevent predictable file name generation. Additionally, administrators should audit scripts that utilize sort commands and ensure proper file handling mechanisms are in place to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability in automated environments.