CVE-2002-0044 in Enscript
Summary
by MITRE
GNU Enscript 1.6.1 and earlier allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files of the Enscript user via a symlink attack on temporary files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/30/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0044 affects GNU Enscript version 1.6.1 and earlier, presenting a significant security risk through improper handling of temporary files during the document processing workflow. This issue manifests as a race condition vulnerability that enables local attackers to exploit the system by creating symbolic links to target files, thereby allowing unauthorized file overwrites with arbitrary content. The flaw exists within the temporary file creation mechanism where the program does not adequately verify the existence or ownership of temporary files before writing to them, creating a window of opportunity for malicious exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the insecure temporary file handling practices inherent in the GNU Enscript utility. When processing documents, the application creates temporary files in predictable locations without proper security checks, allowing attackers to establish symbolic links to sensitive system files before the legitimate program writes to these locations. This classic race condition scenario enables attackers to manipulate the contents of files that should remain protected, potentially compromising system integrity and confidentiality. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-367, which categorizes improper handling of temporary files as a security weakness that can lead to privilege escalation and data corruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file overwrites, as local users with minimal privileges can potentially compromise system security by manipulating the temporary file creation process. Attackers can exploit this weakness to replace critical system files, modify configuration data, or inject malicious content into files that the Enscript utility processes, thereby creating persistent backdoors or disrupting normal system operations. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires only local access and does not depend on network connectivity, making it difficult to detect and prevent through traditional network-based security measures. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for executing malicious code through local file manipulation and T1548.001 for privilege escalation through file system manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-0044 involve immediate patching of affected systems with updated versions of GNU Enscript that properly implement secure temporary file handling practices. Organizations should ensure that all systems running affected versions undergo prompt updates to prevent exploitation. Additionally, system administrators should implement proper file permissions and ownership controls to limit the potential damage from such attacks. The solution requires the implementation of secure temporary file creation methods that either use unique naming conventions, verify file existence before writing, or create temporary files with restricted permissions. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious symbolic link creation patterns and unusual file modification activities in temporary directories. Regular vulnerability assessments and security audits should verify that no systems remain vulnerable to this class of attack, particularly in environments where multiple users have local access to systems processing sensitive documents.