CVE-2001-1346 in ARCserve Backup
Summary
by MITRE
Computer Associates ARCserveIT 6.61 and 6.63 (also called ARCservIT) allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the temporary files (1) asagent.tmp or (2) inetd.tmp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-1346 affects Computer Associates ARCserveIT versions 6.61 and 6.63, representing a critical security flaw that enables local attackers to manipulate system files through symbolic link exploitation. This issue stems from the software's improper handling of temporary files during its operation, creating a pathway for privilege escalation and potential system compromise. The vulnerability specifically targets two temporary files named asagent.tmp and inetd.tmp which are created with predictable naming conventions and insufficient security controls.
The technical flaw manifests through a race condition vulnerability where the application creates temporary files without adequate permissions or security checks, allowing local users to establish symbolic links with the same names before the legitimate process creates them. This symlink attack vector operates under CWE-367, which categorizes time-of-check to time-of-use vulnerabilities where the system checks file permissions at one point but uses different permissions when accessing the file. The flaw occurs because the application does not validate that the temporary files are created with proper ownership and permissions, nor does it check for the presence of symbolic links before writing to these locations.
Operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file overwriting capabilities, as it provides attackers with the potential to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. When local users can manipulate these temporary files, they may replace legitimate system binaries or configuration files with malicious counterparts, effectively compromising the integrity of the entire system. The attack requires local system access but can result in complete system compromise, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where privilege escalation opportunities are limited. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers privilege escalation through local exploits and the manipulation of system processes.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-1346 should focus on immediate remediation through vendor-provided patches or updates that address the temporary file handling mechanism. System administrators should implement proper file permissions and ownership controls for temporary directories, ensuring that files are created with appropriate security contexts that prevent symbolic link manipulation. The recommended approach includes modifying the application's temporary file creation process to use secure methods such as creating files with exclusive access permissions or implementing atomic file creation techniques that prevent race conditions. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive system audits to identify all instances of affected software versions and implement monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure temporary file handling practices and the critical need for applications to avoid predictable naming conventions for temporary resources, particularly in enterprise security environments where local privilege escalation represents a significant threat vector.