CVE-2003-0878 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
slpd daemon in Mac OS X before 10.3 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a temporary file, a different vulnerability than CVE-2003-0875.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2019
The slpd daemon in Mac OS X versions prior to 10.3 contains a critical file system vulnerability that enables local users to perform arbitrary file overwrites through a symlink attack against temporary files. This vulnerability represents a distinct security flaw from CVE-2003-0875 and specifically targets the daemon's handling of temporary file creation and management processes. The issue occurs when the slpd service creates temporary files without proper security checks, allowing malicious local users to establish symbolic links that redirect the daemon's file operations to arbitrary locations on the system. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of insecure temporary file handling as defined by CWE-377, where the creation of temporary files with predictable names or insufficient permissions creates opportunities for privilege escalation and data manipulation attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires local system access and involves the attacker creating symbolic links in directories where the slpd daemon expects to create temporary files. When the daemon executes and attempts to write to these predictable temporary file locations, it inadvertently writes data to the attacker-controlled symbolic link targets rather than the intended temporary files. This flaw can be categorized under the ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, as it allows local users to manipulate system processes and potentially gain elevated privileges. The vulnerability specifically affects the service location protocol daemon that manages network service discovery on Mac OS X systems, making it a critical component for attackers seeking persistent access or system control.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file overwrites to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation, service disruption, and data corruption. Attackers can leverage this weakness to replace critical system files with malicious counterparts, effectively compromising the integrity of the operating system. The vulnerability's persistence is particularly concerning as it affects the slpd daemon which runs with elevated privileges, potentially allowing attackers to modify system configuration files or binaries that control network service discovery and availability. Organizations should consider this vulnerability in their risk assessments and security monitoring, as it can serve as a foothold for more extensive attacks targeting the broader system infrastructure. The attack vector requires local access but can result in significant system compromise, making it a critical issue for system administrators to address through immediate patching and security hardening measures.
This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper temporary file handling in daemon processes and highlights the need for security controls such as using secure temporary file creation methods with appropriate permissions and atomic operations. The issue underscores the necessity of implementing proper input validation and file system access controls in system services, particularly those that operate with elevated privileges. Organizations should implement monitoring for unusual file system activities and ensure that all system services follow secure coding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future. The vulnerability also emphasizes the importance of regular security updates and patch management processes to address known issues before they can be exploited by malicious actors.