CVE-2005-1944 in xmysqladmin
Summary
by MITRE
xmysqladmin 1.0 and earlier allows local users to delete arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a database backup file in /tmp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/09/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1944 represents a critical security flaw in xmysqladmin version 1.0 and earlier installations that enables local attackers to perform unauthorized file deletion operations through a carefully crafted symbolic link attack. This issue specifically targets the database backup file handling mechanism within the temporary directory structure, creating a privilege escalation vector that can be exploited by malicious users with local access to the system. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and improper file handling procedures that fail to properly verify the authenticity of backup files before processing them.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when xmysqladmin attempts to create or manage database backup files in the /tmp directory without sufficient security checks to prevent symbolic link manipulation. Attackers can create malicious symbolic links that point to critical system files or directories, and when the application processes these links as legitimate backup files, it inadvertently deletes or overwrites the targeted files. This type of attack falls under the category of time-of-check to time-of-use vulnerabilities where the application's security decision is made at one point in time but the actual file operation occurs later. The flaw demonstrates poor security practices in temporary file handling and highlights the importance of proper file access controls and validation mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file deletion capabilities as it can be leveraged to compromise the integrity and availability of database systems. Local attackers can potentially target critical system files, configuration data, or even sensitive backup archives that could lead to complete system compromise or data loss. The vulnerability affects systems where xmysqladmin is installed with local user access, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where privilege separation is not properly enforced. Organizations running affected versions of xmysqladmin face significant risk of unauthorized system modifications and potential data destruction that could disrupt business operations and compromise security posture.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of affected xmysqladmin installations to version 1.1 or later where the symbolic link attack prevention mechanisms have been implemented. System administrators should also implement proper temporary file handling procedures that avoid using world-writable directories like /tmp for sensitive operations, instead utilizing dedicated secure temporary locations with appropriate permissions. The implementation of proper file validation checks and the enforcement of secure coding practices that prevent symbolic link traversal attacks should be prioritized. Additionally, monitoring and logging of file operations in temporary directories should be enabled to detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-377 and CWE-378 categories related to insecure temporary file creation and improper file permissions, and represents a typical example of how inadequate input validation can create severe security implications in system administration tools. The attack pattern utilized here corresponds to techniques found in the ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation and defense evasion tactics, specifically targeting the use of local system tools to perform unauthorized operations.