CVE-2002-1970 in Snortcenter
Summary
by MITRE
SnortCenter 0.9.5, when configured to push Snort rules, stores the rules in a temporary file with world-readable and world-writable permissions, which allows local users to obtain usernames and passwords for the alert database servers.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/31/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1970 affects SnortCenter version 0.9.5, a web-based interface for managing Snort intrusion detection system rules. This issue stems from improper file permission handling during the rule deployment process, creating a significant security weakness that exposes sensitive authentication credentials. The vulnerability represents a classic case of insecure temporary file handling that can be exploited by local attackers to gain unauthorized access to database credentials.
The technical flaw manifests when SnortCenter pushes Snort rules to a target system, creating temporary files that are stored with overly permissive permissions set to world-readable and world-writable. This configuration violates fundamental security principles and creates an attack surface that allows any local user to access these temporary files. The temporary files contain database connection information including usernames and passwords for alert database servers, making them highly valuable targets for attackers seeking to escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access to network monitoring systems.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables local users to obtain database credentials that could be used to access alert databases containing critical network monitoring information. The impact extends beyond simple credential theft, as these database credentials often provide access to historical alert data, configuration information, and potentially administrative privileges within the network monitoring infrastructure. Attackers could leverage these credentials to modify or delete alert records, potentially masking malicious activities or creating false positives that could interfere with legitimate security operations.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-732, which addresses inadequate permissions for critical resources, and represents a failure to implement proper file system security controls during temporary file creation. This weakness also maps to ATT&CK technique T1566, specifically focusing on credential access through unauthorized access to sensitive information. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires only local system access, making it easily exploitable in environments where local privilege escalation is possible or where attackers have already compromised a system through other means.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper file permission controls during temporary file creation, ensuring that temporary files are created with restrictive permissions that limit access to only the necessary processes. System administrators should immediately update to SnortCenter versions that address this vulnerability, implement proper file system access controls, and conduct regular audits of temporary file permissions. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing privilege separation techniques and monitoring for unauthorized access to sensitive system files as part of their overall security posture improvement efforts.