CVE-2005-1396 in Ceterm
Summary
by MITRE
Race condition in Ce/Ceterm (aka ARPUS/Ce) 2.5.4 and earlier allows local users to write to arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the ce_edit_log temporary file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-1396 represents a critical race condition flaw within the Ce/Ceterm system, specifically affecting versions 2.5.4 and earlier. This issue resides in the ARPUS/Ce implementation and demonstrates a fundamental security weakness in how temporary files are handled during the editing process. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it allows local users to escalate their privileges and gain unauthorized write access to arbitrary files on the system. The race condition occurs during the creation and handling of the ce_edit_log temporary file, which serves as a critical component in the system's logging mechanism for editing operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of temporary file creation and access permissions within the Ce/Ceterm application. When a user initiates an editing operation, the system creates a temporary file named ce_edit_log to record editing activities and maintain session state. However, the application fails to properly secure this temporary file during its creation phase, creating a window of opportunity for malicious local users to exploit. The race condition manifests when the system creates the temporary file with predictable naming and insufficient permission controls, allowing an attacker to establish a symbolic link with the same name before the legitimate application creates the file. This timing discrepancy enables attackers to redirect file operations to arbitrary locations on the filesystem, potentially allowing them to overwrite critical system files or inject malicious content into the application's operational environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file corruption or unauthorized access, as it fundamentally undermines the integrity and security of the Ce/Ceterm system. Local attackers can leverage this weakness to gain elevated privileges, modify system configuration files, or inject malicious code into the application's execution flow. The vulnerability particularly affects systems where Ce/Ceterm is used for administrative tasks or sensitive data processing, as the ability to write to arbitrary files can lead to complete system compromise. Additionally, this flaw can be exploited in conjunction with other local privilege escalation techniques, making it a particularly dangerous vulnerability in multi-user environments where system integrity is paramount. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor adherence to security best practices regarding temporary file handling and privilege management.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-1396 should focus on immediate patch application and implementation of proper temporary file security measures. System administrators must upgrade to versions of Ce/Ceterm that address this race condition through proper file creation atomicity and secure temporary file handling mechanisms. The recommended approach involves implementing proper file permission controls during temporary file creation, utilizing secure temporary file creation functions that prevent symbolic link attacks, and ensuring that temporary files are created with appropriate access controls and unique naming conventions. Organizations should also implement monitoring for suspicious file creation patterns and establish proper privilege separation mechanisms to limit the impact of potential exploitation. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-367, which addresses the issue of time-of-check to time-of-use (TOCTOU) race conditions, and may be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through race conditions and timing attacks. The remediation process should also include comprehensive security audits of similar applications to identify and address other potential race condition vulnerabilities in the system's architecture.