CVE-2002-1502 in xbreaky
Summary
by MITRE
Symbolic link vulnerability in xbreaky before 0.5.5 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink from the user s .breakyhighscores file to the target file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-1502 represents a classic symbolic link race condition that existed in the xbreaky game application prior to version 0.5.5. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of insecure temporary file handling and privilege escalation through symbolic link manipulation. The flaw specifically affects the game's high scores file management system, where the application creates a .breakyhighscores file in the user's home directory without proper security checks. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to validate the target file before creating or modifying symbolic links, creating an opportunity for local attackers to exploit the system's trust in file paths.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows an attacker to manipulate the symbolic link structure in the user's home directory to redirect the application's file operations to arbitrary locations on the filesystem. When xbreaky attempts to write to the .breakyhighscores file, it follows the symbolic link and writes data to the target file that the attacker has specified. This creates a privilege escalation scenario where a local user can overwrite files with elevated permissions or sensitive system files, depending on the context in which the application runs. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages the application's trust in local file operations without proper validation of the symbolic link chain.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file overwriting capabilities, as it can be exploited to modify critical system files, configuration data, or even execute malicious code through carefully crafted symbolic link targets. Attackers can use this vulnerability to escalate privileges if the application runs with elevated permissions, or to plant malicious content in system directories that the application might access. The vulnerability also demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the application's security model where it assumes that file paths are trustworthy without proper validation, which aligns with common weakness patterns identified in CWE-377 and CWE-378 related to insecure temporary file creation and improper file permissions.
This vulnerability relates to several ATT&CK techniques including privilege escalation through file system manipulation and persistence mechanisms. The attack vector specifically maps to T1068 (Local Privilege Escalation) and T1574 (Hijack Execution Flow) where attackers can manipulate file paths to redirect application execution. The exploitation requires local system access and involves creating symbolic links in the user's home directory, making it a low-cost attack that can be executed by any user with access to the affected system. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure file handling practices and proper input validation in application development, particularly when dealing with temporary files and user-controlled paths. Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability as part of broader file system security assessments and implement proper validation of symbolic links and file access controls.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include upgrading to version 0.5.5 or later where the symbolic link validation has been implemented, implementing proper file permission controls, and ensuring that applications do not create symbolic links without proper validation. System administrators should also monitor for suspicious symbolic link creation in user directories and implement file integrity monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized modifications. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper validation of file system operations, particularly in applications that handle user data and temporary files. Organizations should also consider implementing least privilege principles and regular security audits of applications to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in their systems.