CVE-2002-1669 in FreeBSD
Summary
by MITRE
pkg_add in FreeBSD 4.2 through 4.4 creates a temporary directory with world-searchable permissions, which may allow local users to modify world-writable parts of the package during installation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/06/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-1669 affects the pkg_add utility in FreeBSD versions 4.2 through 4.4, representing a significant security flaw in the package management system that could enable local privilege escalation. This issue stems from improper permission handling during the package installation process, where temporary directories are created with overly permissive world-searchable permissions. The flaw exists within the core package management infrastructure of the operating system, making it a critical concern for system administrators and security professionals managing FreeBSD environments. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic improper permission handling weakness that has been documented under CWE-732, which specifically addresses when incorrect permissions are assigned to system resources, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive components. The affected pkg_add utility operates with elevated privileges during package installation, creating a window of opportunity for malicious users to exploit the insecure temporary directory creation mechanism.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when pkg_add executes package installation procedures and creates temporary directories to store intermediate package files and metadata. These temporary directories are established with permissions that allow any user on the system to traverse and potentially modify the contents, particularly targeting world-writable components that should remain protected. The flaw manifests because the utility does not properly enforce restrictive permissions on the temporary directory structure, allowing local attackers to inject malicious code or modify package contents before installation completes. This creates a race condition scenario where an attacker can manipulate the package installation process by replacing or modifying files in the temporary directory, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the package installation process. The vulnerability directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' and specifically addresses the 'Local Privilege Escalation' sub-technique. The improper directory permissions create a path for attackers to modify package contents, enabling them to execute malicious payloads when the compromised package is installed.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-1669 extends beyond simple local privilege escalation, as it fundamentally undermines the integrity of the package management system and can lead to complete system compromise. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can modify package contents to include malicious code, potentially installing backdoors, rootkits, or other persistent malware that persists across system reboots. The vulnerability affects all users of the affected FreeBSD versions, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where malicious users might attempt to exploit the flaw to gain elevated privileges. System administrators face the challenge of maintaining package integrity while users continue to install software, as the vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that remains active until the system is patched or the vulnerable software is removed. The flaw also impacts automated package management systems and can compromise the security posture of entire network infrastructures where multiple FreeBSD systems are deployed and managed collectively. Organizations using these vulnerable versions face potential data breaches, system compromise, and regulatory compliance issues due to the exposure of critical system components through this vulnerability. The security implications are compounded by the fact that package installation is a routine system operation, making the attack surface particularly broad and difficult to monitor effectively. The vulnerability represents a failure in the principle of least privilege, where temporary directories should only be accessible to the processes that require them, rather than granting world-searchable permissions that enable arbitrary user modification of critical system components.