CVE-2002-2242 in Kismac
Summary
by MITRE
The Apple Package Manager in KisMAC 0.02a and earlier modifies file permissions of sensitive files after installation, which could allow attackers to conduct unauthorized activities on those files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-2242 resides within the Apple Package Manager component of KisMAC version 0.02a and earlier installations, representing a critical security flaw that undermines system integrity through improper file permission handling. This issue manifests during the software installation process where the package manager automatically adjusts permissions on sensitive system files without adequate security considerations. The flaw stems from insufficient access control mechanisms that fail to maintain proper file ownership and permission structures, creating potential attack vectors for malicious actors seeking unauthorized system access. The vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege by allowing unauthorized modification of system-critical files that should remain protected from arbitrary permission changes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a clear failure in the package management system's permission handling routines, where the installer process indiscriminately modifies file permissions without validating the security implications of such changes. This behavior creates a scenario where sensitive files that should maintain restrictive permissions become accessible to unauthorized users or processes. The flaw operates at the operating system level through the Apple Package Manager's installation framework, which lacks proper validation checks to ensure that permission modifications align with established security policies and system integrity requirements. This represents a classic case of inadequate input validation and privilege management within the installation process.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to exploit the modified file permissions to conduct unauthorized activities including but not limited to privilege escalation, data manipulation, and system compromise. The impact extends beyond simple permission changes as attackers can leverage the modified access controls to gain elevated privileges or access restricted system resources. The vulnerability affects systems running KisMAC 0.02a and earlier versions, making it particularly concerning given the widespread use of this wireless network analysis tool in security research and penetration testing environments. Organizations and individuals using these vulnerable versions face significant risk of unauthorized system access and potential data breaches.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-732, which addresses inadequate permissions on critical resources, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting privileges for system access. Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected KisMAC versions to 0.03a or later, where permission handling has been corrected. System administrators should implement proper file integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized permission changes and conduct regular security audits of installed packages. Additionally, organizations should establish strict access control policies that prevent automatic permission modifications during installation processes and maintain comprehensive logging of all permission-related system changes to facilitate incident response and forensic analysis.