CVE-2003-0207 in gs-common
Summary
by MITRE
ps2epsi creates insecure temporary files when calling ghostscript, which allows local attackers to overwrite arbitrary files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/28/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0207 resides in the ps2epsi utility which is part of the ghostscript package and serves to convert postscript files to encapsulated postscript format. This utility creates temporary files during its execution process without proper security measures, establishing a significant security risk for local attackers who can exploit this flaw to overwrite arbitrary files on the system. The issue stems from the insecure creation of temporary files that do not adequately protect against race conditions or unauthorized file access.
The technical flaw manifests when ps2epsi invokes ghostscript and subsequently generates temporary files in a predictable location without proper file permissions or secure temporary file creation mechanisms. This insecure practice creates a race condition vulnerability where malicious users can create symbolic links or hard links to target files in the temporary directory, allowing them to overwrite files with arbitrary content when ps2epsi executes. The vulnerability operates at the file system level and exploits improper temporary file handling practices that violate fundamental security principles for temporary file management.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables local attackers to potentially overwrite critical system files, configuration files, or user data with malicious content. The impact extends beyond simple file overwrites as attackers could target system binaries, configuration files, or sensitive user data to escalate privileges or maintain persistence within the system. The vulnerability affects systems where ps2epsi is installed and executed with sufficient privileges, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments or systems where users have access to the utility.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability involve implementing secure temporary file creation practices that align with established security standards such as those outlined in CWE-377 and CWE-378, which specifically address insecure temporary file handling and improper file permissions. The recommended approach includes using secure temporary file creation functions that ensure proper file permissions and atomic creation, implementing proper file path validation, and avoiding predictable temporary file names. System administrators should also consider disabling unnecessary utilities, applying security patches from vendor updates, and implementing proper access controls to limit potential exploitation vectors. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper temporary file management in preventing privilege escalation attacks and maintaining system integrity according to industry security frameworks and best practices.