CVE-2005-0894 in OpenMosixView
Summary
by MITRE
OpenmosixCollector and OpenMosixView in OpenMosixView 1.5 allow local users to overwrite or delete arbitrary files via a symlink attack on (1) temporary files in the openmosixcollector directory or (2) nodes.tmp.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0894 affects OpenMosixView 1.5, specifically targeting the OpenmosixCollector and OpenMosixView components. This security flaw represents a classic symlink attack scenario that exploits improper handling of temporary files within the application's directory structure. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of symbolic links during file operations, creating opportunities for local privilege escalation and arbitrary file manipulation. The affected system components operate with elevated privileges, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to critical system resources. The flaw specifically targets temporary files located in the openmosixcollector directory and the nodes.tmp file, both of which are processed with inadequate security controls that fail to verify the legitimacy of symbolic links before file operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a well-established pattern of symlink-based attacks where malicious users create symbolic links pointing to sensitive system files before the vulnerable application processes them. When OpenMosixView 1.5 executes its file operations, it does not properly validate whether the target files are legitimate or symbolic links, allowing attackers to redirect file operations to arbitrary locations on the filesystem. This behavior violates fundamental security principles of file system access control and privilege separation, as the application operates under conditions where it should not be able to overwrite or delete files outside of its intended scope. The vulnerability manifests when local users leverage the application's failure to properly resolve file paths, effectively bypassing normal access controls and potentially gaining write access to system-critical files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file manipulation to encompass potential privilege escalation and system compromise scenarios. Local attackers who exploit this vulnerability can overwrite system configuration files, executables, or critical data files, potentially leading to complete system compromise or denial of service conditions. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges to execute, as local users typically have access to create symbolic links. This vulnerability can be exploited to modify application behavior, inject malicious code, or disrupt system operations by targeting the temporary files used by OpenMosixView for node management and system monitoring. The compromised system may experience unexpected behavior, data corruption, or unauthorized access to sensitive information, especially if the application has elevated privileges during its operation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-0894 should focus on implementing proper file path validation and privilege separation mechanisms within the vulnerable application. The most effective approach involves modifying the application to use atomic file creation techniques that prevent symlink attacks by ensuring files are created with exclusive access permissions before any symbolic link resolution occurs. System administrators should also implement proper file access controls and privilege reduction measures to limit the impact of potential exploitation. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-377, which addresses insecure temporary file handling, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege as defined in cybersecurity best practices. Additionally, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1059 for privilege escalation and T1566 for social engineering through system manipulation, highlighting the multi-faceted nature of the threat. Organizations should also consider implementing file integrity monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized file modifications that could result from exploitation of this vulnerability, while ensuring that all temporary file operations are properly validated and secured against symbolic link attacks.