CVE-2001-0774 in Tripwire
Summary
by MITRE
Tripwire 1.3.1, 2.2.1 and 2.3.0 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files and possible gain privileges via a symbolic link attack on temporary files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0774 affects Tripwire versions 1.3.1, 2.2.1, and 2.3.0, representing a critical security flaw that enables local attackers to exploit symbolic link attacks against temporary files. This issue stems from improper handling of temporary files during the execution of Tripwire's file integrity checking mechanisms, creating a pathway for privilege escalation and arbitrary file overwrite operations. The vulnerability specifically targets the insecure creation and manipulation of temporary files that Tripwire generates during its operation, particularly when processing file system changes or performing integrity checks on monitored directories.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a race condition or insecure temporary file creation pattern where Tripwire creates temporary files without proper security measures to prevent symbolic link attacks. Attackers can exploit this by creating malicious symbolic links in directories where Tripwire expects to find temporary files, thereby causing the system to write data to locations controlled by the attacker rather than the intended temporary file location. This flaw operates at the operating system level where file creation and access permissions are not properly enforced during temporary file handling, allowing attackers to manipulate the file system in ways that could lead to privilege escalation or data compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2001-0774 is significant for systems running affected Tripwire versions, as it provides local users with the capability to overwrite arbitrary files on the system and potentially gain elevated privileges. This vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where Tripwire is used for security monitoring, as it allows any local user to potentially compromise the integrity of the system's file structure. The attack vector is relatively straightforward to execute, requiring only local access to the system and knowledge of the temporary file creation patterns used by Tripwire, making it a viable target for both malicious insiders and external attackers who have gained local access.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-377, which addresses insecure temporary file handling, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059 for execution and T1068 for privilege escalation. The vulnerability demonstrates poor secure coding practices in temporary file management, specifically failing to implement proper file access controls or secure temporary file creation mechanisms. Organizations using Tripwire should immediately update to patched versions that address this issue through proper temporary file handling procedures, including the use of secure file creation functions and proper permission controls. Additionally, system administrators should implement monitoring for suspicious symbolic link creation patterns and consider restricting write access to directories where Tripwire operates to mitigate the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure temporary file handling practices in security tools and underscores the need for regular security assessments of file integrity monitoring systems to prevent similar issues in other security applications.