CVE-2003-0603 in Bugzilla
Summary
by MITRE
Bugzilla 2.16.x before 2.16.3, 2.17.x before 2.17.4, and earlier versions allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on temporary files that are created in directories with group-writable or world-writable permissions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/17/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0603 affects Bugzilla versions prior to 2.16.3 and 2.17.4, representing a critical security flaw in the software's handling of temporary files. This issue stems from improper file system permissions and race condition vulnerabilities that allow local attackers to manipulate the system through symbolic link attacks. The flaw specifically targets temporary files created in directories that possess group-writable or world-writable permissions, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged for arbitrary file overwrites.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a classic race condition scenario where an attacker can create symbolic links in directories that are temporarily accessible to the Bugzilla process. When Bugzilla creates temporary files in these insecure directories, the attacker can intercept and manipulate the file creation process by pre-creating symbolic links that point to sensitive system files. This allows the attacker to write arbitrary content to files that should remain protected, effectively bypassing normal file system access controls and privilege boundaries.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability represents a severe local privilege escalation risk that can be exploited by users with minimal system access. The attack vector requires only local system access and knowledge of the Bugzilla installation structure, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where users might have legitimate access to the system. The ability to overwrite arbitrary files can lead to complete system compromise, data corruption, or unauthorized privilege elevation. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-362, which describes race conditions that can lead to security flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 for executing malicious code through compromised applications.
The exploitation process typically involves creating symbolic links in the temporary directories where Bugzilla operates, then triggering the application to create temporary files that will be overwritten by the attacker's symbolic links. This type of attack can be particularly insidious because it doesn't require network access or external attack surfaces, making it harder to detect and prevent through traditional network-based security measures. Organizations running vulnerable Bugzilla versions face significant risk of unauthorized file modification, potential data breaches, and system integrity compromise.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of the affected Bugzilla versions to 2.16.3 or 2.17.4 and later releases that contain the necessary security fixes. System administrators must also review and correct directory permissions for temporary file locations, ensuring that no directories used by Bugzilla have group-writable or world-writable permissions. Additional protective measures include implementing proper file system access controls, monitoring for suspicious file creation patterns, and conducting regular security audits of application temporary file handling mechanisms. The fix typically involves implementing proper temporary file creation methods that avoid race conditions and ensure that files are created with appropriate permissions and ownership.