CVE-2001-0416 in sgml-tools
Summary
by MITRE
sgml-tools (aka sgmltools) before 1.0.9-15 creates temporary files with insecure permissions, which allows other users to read files that are being processed by sgml-tools.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0416 affects the sgml-tools package, also known as sgmltools, which is a collection of tools for processing sgml documents. This issue specifically targets versions prior to 1.0.9-15 and represents a classic insecure temporary file creation flaw that has significant implications for system security and data confidentiality. The vulnerability stems from the improper handling of temporary files during document processing operations, creating a pathway for privilege escalation and information disclosure attacks.
The technical flaw manifests when sgml-tools creates temporary files during the processing of sgml documents, failing to establish appropriate file permissions that would prevent unauthorized access. This insecure practice typically involves creating temporary files with world-readable permissions or without proper access controls, allowing any user on the system to read the contents of these temporary files. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it occurs during the normal operation of the tool when processing sensitive documents, potentially exposing confidential information that might be contained within the sgml files being processed. This behavior aligns with CWE-377, which describes insecure temporary file creation practices, and represents a fundamental failure in secure coding practices regarding file permission management.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates opportunities for attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data that might be processed through the affected tools. Attackers can exploit this weakness by creating symbolic links or by monitoring the temporary file system for files with predictable names, then reading the contents of these files to extract confidential information. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in multi-user environments where different users might be processing sensitive documents through the same tool, as it effectively removes the confidentiality guarantees that should normally exist between users. This weakness can be leveraged as part of broader attack chains, potentially leading to privilege escalation or lateral movement within a compromised system, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1074.001 for data staging and T1566.001 for credential access through malicious file creation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve upgrading to version 1.0.9-15 or later of sgml-tools, which contains the necessary patches to address the insecure temporary file creation behavior. System administrators should also implement additional security measures such as monitoring temporary file directories for unauthorized access attempts and ensuring proper file permissions are enforced throughout the system. The fix typically involves implementing proper umask settings during temporary file creation and ensuring that temporary files are created with restrictive permissions that prevent unauthorized access. Organizations should also consider implementing least privilege principles for users running sgml-tools and regularly audit system configurations to prevent similar issues in other applications that might be processing sensitive data through temporary file mechanisms. Additionally, implementing proper file system monitoring and access control mechanisms can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts that target this type of vulnerability.