CVE-2003-0617 in mindi
Summary
by MITRE
mindi 0.58 and earlier does not properly create temporary files, which allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0617 affects mindi version 0.58 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw in the temporary file creation mechanism. This issue stems from improper handling of temporary file operations within the software, creating a scenario where local attackers can manipulate the system to overwrite arbitrary files on the target system. The flaw exists at the core of how mindi manages temporary files during its execution process, making it a significant concern for system integrity and security.
This vulnerability manifests as a race condition or insecure temporary file creation pattern that allows local users to exploit the software's file handling mechanisms. The technical implementation fails to properly secure temporary file creation processes, enabling attackers to predict or manipulate temporary file names and locations. When mindi creates temporary files, it does not adequately randomize or secure the naming conventions, providing attackers with predictable paths that can be targeted for file overwrite operations. This type of flaw directly relates to CWE-377, which addresses insecure temporary file creation practices, and CWE-378, which covers the creation of temporary files with insecure permissions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it allows local privilege escalation through file overwrite attacks. An attacker with local access can leverage this weakness to overwrite critical system files, configuration files, or even executable programs, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where local access might be obtained through various means such as legitimate user accounts, compromised credentials, or other attack vectors that provide initial access to the system. This flaw essentially undermines the trust model of the software and creates opportunities for persistent attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-0617 should focus on immediate software updates to versions that address the temporary file creation issues. System administrators should prioritize patching affected mindi installations and implementing proper file permissions for temporary directories. The recommended approach includes ensuring that temporary files are created with secure permissions, using proper randomization techniques for file naming, and implementing atomic file creation operations. Additionally, monitoring and logging of temporary file operations should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Secure Coding Practices and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter usage in exploitation scenarios. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular security assessments to identify similar insecure file handling patterns in other software components.