CVE-2005-1119 in Sudo
Summary
by MITRE
Sudo VISudo 1.6.8 and earlier allows local users to corrupt arbitrary files via a symlink attack on temporary files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1119 affects sudo versions 1.6.8 and earlier, specifically within the visudo utility which is used to safely edit the sudoers file. This issue represents a critical security flaw that enables local attackers to manipulate arbitrary files through a carefully crafted symbolic link attack against temporary files created during the visudo execution process. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper handling of temporary file creation mechanisms within the sudo utility.
The technical flaw occurs when visudo creates temporary files during the editing process of the sudoers configuration. Attackers can exploit this by creating symbolic links in the temporary file locations that point to sensitive system files or configuration files they wish to corrupt. When visudo subsequently writes to these temporary files, the write operations actually modify the target files pointed to by the symbolic links, allowing attackers to inject malicious content or overwrite critical system files. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of insecure temporary file handling and is classified as CWE-352, which addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerabilities, though in this case the attack vector is more specifically related to improper file handling. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic privilege escalation vector where local users can leverage the sudo utility's temporary file creation to gain unauthorized access to modify critical system resources.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-1119 is significant as it allows local attackers to potentially compromise system integrity and security. An attacker with basic user privileges can exploit this vulnerability to corrupt system files, modify sudoers configurations, or even replace critical binaries with malicious versions. The attack requires local access to the system but does not need root privileges initially, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where users may have legitimate sudo access for administrative tasks. This vulnerability can be leveraged to create persistent backdoors or to escalate privileges further by modifying the sudoers file itself to grant additional access rights to the attacker. The flaw affects systems where users have the ability to execute visudo and where the temporary file creation process does not properly validate the existence of symbolic links in the target directories.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-1119 primarily involve upgrading to sudo versions 1.6.9 or later, where the vulnerability has been addressed through improved temporary file handling mechanisms. System administrators should implement strict file permissions on temporary directories and ensure that the visudo utility creates temporary files with proper security attributes that prevent symbolic link attacks. The recommended approach includes using atomic file creation techniques and verifying that temporary files are not susceptible to symbolic link manipulation. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as monitoring for unusual file modifications in critical system directories and ensuring that sudoers files are properly configured to limit unnecessary privileges. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as privilege escalation through insecure file permissions and exploitation of system utilities, making it a critical concern for security teams implementing comprehensive threat detection and response strategies. The fix implemented in newer sudo versions typically involves creating temporary files with restrictive permissions and using secure temporary file creation methods that prevent the symbolic link attack vector.