CVE-2004-2462 in cplay
Summary
by MITRE
cplay 1.49 on Linux allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the cplay_control temporary file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2462 affects cplay version 1.49 running on linux systems and represents a significant security flaw that enables local users to perform unauthorized file operations through a carefully crafted symlink attack. This issue stems from the application's improper handling of temporary files during its operation, creating a window of opportunity for privilege escalation and data manipulation. The vulnerability specifically targets the cplay_control temporary file that cplay creates during execution, making it susceptible to exploitation by malicious local users who can manipulate the file system to redirect the application's write operations to arbitrary locations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a classic symlink race condition pattern where the application creates a temporary file without proper security checks, leaving it open to manipulation by attackers who can establish symbolic links with the same name before the application attempts to write to the file. This flaw falls under the CWE-367 category of Time-of-Check to Time-of-Use vulnerability, where the application checks for file existence or permissions at one point in time but performs the actual file operation at a different moment when the conditions may have changed. The exploitation process typically involves creating a symbolic link that points to a target file the attacker wishes to overwrite, then executing the vulnerable application which will write to the temporary file location, ultimately overwriting the target file through the symbolic link mechanism.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file overwriting, as it can be leveraged to escalate privileges and potentially compromise the entire system. Local users who can execute the cplay application can use this attack to overwrite critical system files, configuration files, or even files owned by other users with higher privileges. This creates a potential pathway for privilege escalation attacks where attackers can modify system binaries, configuration files, or other sensitive resources. The attack requires local system access but does not need network connectivity, making it particularly dangerous in environments where local access is not properly restricted. According to the ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to the privilege escalation technique T1068, where adversaries exploit weaknesses in application design to gain elevated system privileges.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper temporary file handling mechanisms that prevent symlink attacks and ensure file integrity during application execution. The most effective approach involves using secure temporary file creation functions that verify file ownership and permissions before allowing write operations, such as using the mkstemp family of functions instead of creating files with predictable names. System administrators should also implement proper access controls and file permissions to limit local user access to critical system resources, while also considering privilege separation techniques that prevent applications from running with unnecessary elevated privileges. Additionally, regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar flaws in other applications, as this type of vulnerability is commonly found in legacy software systems where proper security practices were not fully implemented. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to security standards such as those defined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines to prevent similar issues in future software development cycles.