CVE-2002-0211 in Tarantella
Summary
by MITRE
Race condition in the installation script for Tarantella Enterprise 3 3.01 through 3.20 creates a world-writeable temporary "gunzip" program before executing it, which could allow local users to execute arbitrary commands by modifying the program before it is executed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0211 represents a critical race condition flaw in the Tarantella Enterprise 3 installation process affecting versions 3.01 through 3.20. This security weakness stems from improper handling of temporary files during the software installation procedure, creating exploitable conditions that can be leveraged by local attackers to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability specifically manifests in the installation script's creation of a temporary "gunzip" program that is initially world-writable, establishing a window of opportunity for malicious manipulation before the program executes.
The technical flaw involves a classic race condition scenario where the installation script creates a temporary file with insufficient permission controls, allowing local users to modify the file contents between its creation and execution phases. This race condition occurs because the script generates a temporary gunzip program with world-writeable permissions, typically using a pattern that creates a temporary file in a predictable location without proper atomic file creation mechanisms. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-362, which describes race conditions that can lead to security vulnerabilities through improper synchronization of concurrent operations. During the installation process, the system creates a temporary executable file that is accessible to all users, providing a clear attack vector for privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for systems running affected Tarantella Enterprise versions, as it provides local attackers with a straightforward method to execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges. Attackers can exploit this condition by replacing the temporary gunzip program with a malicious executable before the installation script executes it, effectively gaining root or administrator level access to the compromised system. The attack requires local system access but can result in complete system compromise, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where users may have legitimate access to the system but should not possess administrative privileges. This vulnerability undermines the integrity of the installation process and can be exploited to install backdoors, modify system files, or establish persistent access to the compromised infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-0211 should focus on immediate patching of affected Tarantella Enterprise installations to versions that address the race condition in the installation script. Organizations should implement proper file permission controls during temporary file creation, ensuring that temporary files are created with restrictive permissions and are not world-writable. The installation process should utilize atomic file creation techniques to prevent race conditions, such as creating files with unique names and proper ownership before making them executable. Additionally, system administrators should conduct thorough security audits of installation processes and temporary file handling mechanisms across all systems to identify similar vulnerabilities. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and script injection, as the exploitation results in arbitrary command execution. The remediation approach should also include implementing proper privilege separation and file system permissions to prevent unauthorized modification of critical installation components.