CVE-2001-0823 in Performance Co-Pilot
Summary
by MITRE
The pmpost program in Performance Co-Pilot (PCP) before 2.2.1-3 allows a local user to gain privileges via a symlink attack on the NOTICES file in the PCP log directory (PCP_LOG_DIR).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0823 resides within the Performance Co-Pilot (PCP) monitoring framework, specifically affecting versions prior to 2.2.1-3. This issue manifests in the pmpost program which is responsible for posting performance data to the PCP logging system. The flaw represents a classic symlink attack vulnerability that exploits improper handling of temporary files during the logging process. The vulnerability occurs when the pmpost program creates or modifies the NOTICES file within the PCP log directory designated by the PCP_LOG_DIR environment variable without adequate security checks to prevent symbolic link manipulation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the program's failure to validate file paths when accessing the NOTICES file in the PCP log directory. A local attacker can exploit this weakness by creating a symbolic link with the name NOTICES in a location of their choice, then manipulating the pmpost program's behavior to write to this symbolic link instead of the intended log file. This allows the attacker to write arbitrary content to files they would normally not have permission to modify, effectively escalating their privileges within the system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the file system level, bypassing many traditional access control mechanisms that would normally prevent such privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive performance monitoring data and system information. The pmpost program typically runs with elevated privileges to ensure proper system monitoring, making this attack vector particularly attractive to adversaries seeking persistent access to monitored systems. Attackers could potentially corrupt log files, inject malicious data into performance reports, or even overwrite critical system files if they can control the target of the symbolic link. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-59, which describes improper handling of symbolic links, and demonstrates how insufficient input validation can lead to serious security implications in system monitoring tools.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected PCP installations to version 2.2.1-3 or later where the symlink attack protection has been implemented. System administrators should also implement proper file system permissions and ensure that the PCP_LOG_DIR environment variable points to directories with restricted write access. Additional protective measures include monitoring for unauthorized symbolic link creation in the PCP log directories and implementing proper privilege separation for the pmpost program. Organizations should consider following ATT&CK framework technique T1068 which addresses privilege escalation through local exploitation, and T1566 which covers social engineering tactics that might be used to establish the initial foothold for such attacks. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices in system monitoring tools, particularly regarding file handling operations and the need for proper validation of file paths before any file system operations occur.