CVE-2002-1791 in IRIX
Summary
by MITRE
SGI IRIX 6.5 through 6.5.17 creates temporary desktop files with world-writable permissions, which allows local users to overwrite or corrupt those files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1791 affects SGI IRIX operating systems version 6.5 through 6.5.17 and represents a classic privilege escalation issue stemming from improper file permission handling. This flaw exists within the desktop environment's temporary file creation mechanisms where system processes generate temporary files without establishing appropriate security controls. The vulnerability falls under the category of weak file permissions and improper privilege management, aligning with CWE-732 which specifically addresses inadequate permissions for critical resources. The issue demonstrates a fundamental failure in the principle of least privilege where temporary files are created with world-writable permissions, creating an attack surface that local users can exploit to manipulate system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when desktop applications or system processes create temporary files in shared directories without properly setting restrictive permissions. These temporary files, which may contain sensitive data or configuration information, are created with permissions that allow any user on the system to write to them. This design flaw enables malicious local users to overwrite or corrupt these files, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system instability. The vulnerability operates at the operating system level where process isolation mechanisms fail to prevent unauthorized modifications to temporary file resources. Attackers can leverage this weakness to modify system files, inject malicious content, or disrupt normal system operations by targeting these world-writable temporary files during the execution of desktop applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-1791 extends beyond simple file corruption as it creates a persistent security risk for systems running affected IRIX versions. Local users with minimal privileges can exploit this vulnerability to gain elevated access or cause system disruptions that may affect other users or system services. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in multi-user environments where different users share the same system resources, as it allows one user to potentially compromise the integrity of another user's desktop session or system processes. The attack vector is straightforward and requires no special privileges beyond local system access, making it an attractive target for both malicious users and attackers seeking to establish persistence within a compromised system. This vulnerability also contributes to broader security posture degradation by undermining the integrity of the desktop environment and potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks that build upon this initial compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-1791 should focus on immediate system hardening and proper file permission management. System administrators should ensure that all temporary files created by desktop applications are generated with restrictive permissions that prevent unauthorized modifications. The recommended approach involves implementing proper umask settings and ensuring that temporary file creation processes use secure methods such as creating files with user-specific permissions and then changing ownership to the appropriate user. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized modifications to temporary files and establish regular security audits to identify similar permission issues. Additionally, upgrading to patched versions of IRIX operating system where available represents the most effective long-term solution, as these updates typically include proper temporary file handling mechanisms and enhanced privilege management. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of following security best practices such as implementing the principle of least privilege and conducting regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar permission-related weaknesses in system components. This issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which involves privilege escalation through local exploitation and demonstrates the critical need for proper file system security controls in multi-user operating environments.