CVE-2002-1764 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
acroread in Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.05 on Linux allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on temporary files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1764 represents a critical security flaw in Adobe Acrobat Reader version 4.05 running on Linux systems. This issue stems from improper handling of temporary files during the application's operation, creating a significant attack surface for local adversaries. The flaw specifically affects the acroread executable's behavior when processing certain file operations that involve temporary file creation and manipulation.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the insecure creation of temporary files without proper validation of file existence or ownership checks. When Adobe Acrobat Reader processes certain document types, it creates temporary files in predictable locations without implementing adequate security measures to prevent symbolic link attacks. This insecure pattern allows local users to establish symbolic links in the temporary file paths before the application attempts to create these files, effectively redirecting the application's file operations to arbitrary locations on the filesystem.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-377 category of insecure temporary file handling, specifically manifesting as CWE-378 which deals with creation of temporary files with insecure permissions and CWE-379 which addresses creation of temporary files and directories with insecure permissions. The attack vector exploits the fundamental principle that when applications create temporary files without proper atomic operations or permission validation, they become susceptible to race conditions and symlink-based attacks that can be leveraged by malicious local users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file overwriting capabilities, as it can potentially allow attackers to modify critical system files, inject malicious code into the application's execution flow, or even escalate privileges within the compromised environment. Local users who can execute arbitrary commands on the system can exploit this flaw to overwrite files with elevated privileges if the acroread process runs with higher permissions than the attacking user. The vulnerability essentially provides a mechanism for privilege escalation and persistent access to compromised systems through file system manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-1764 require immediate patching of Adobe Acrobat Reader to versions that properly handle temporary file creation with atomic operations and appropriate permission checks. System administrators should implement file system permissions that prevent unauthorized symbolic link creation in temporary directories, particularly those used by applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, highlighting the need for comprehensive monitoring of file system changes and process behaviors. Additionally, implementing proper file system hardening measures including restricted temporary directory permissions, disabling unnecessary symbolic link creation, and employing mandatory access controls can significantly reduce the attack surface. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted versions of Adobe Acrobat Reader and establish regular vulnerability assessment procedures to identify similar insecure file handling patterns in other applications.