CVE-2005-1976 in NetMail
Summary
by MITRE
Novell NetMail 3.5.2a, 3.5.2b, and 3.5.2c, when running on Linux, sets the owner and group ID to 500 for certain files, which could allow users or groups with that ID to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service by modifying those files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/16/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-1976 represents a critical privilege escalation issue affecting Novell NetMail versions 3.5.2a through 3.5.2c when deployed on Linux systems. This flaw stems from improper file permission handling during the software installation process, where specific system files are created with ownership set to user or group ID 500. The vulnerability exposes a fundamental security misconfiguration that directly undermines the principle of least privilege and creates a pathway for unauthorized code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the installation script or configuration process of Novell NetMail failing to properly establish secure file ownership and permissions. When files are created with UID/GID 500, they become accessible to any user account assigned to that specific identifier, which is often a standard system account used for various services. This misconfiguration allows attackers who can gain access to a user account with ID 500 to modify critical system files, potentially replacing executables or configuration components with malicious versions. The flaw operates under the CWE-276 principle of incorrect default permissions, where system components are created with overly permissive access controls that can be exploited by local attackers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential denial of service conditions and arbitrary code execution capabilities. Attackers can exploit this weakness to modify core system files, potentially causing system instability or complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects the integrity and availability aspects of the CIA triad, as it allows unauthorized modification of system resources while potentially disrupting normal service operations. Network mail services running on affected systems become particularly vulnerable, as attackers could manipulate email processing components to redirect messages or disable services entirely.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through proper file ownership correction and comprehensive system hardening. System administrators must verify that all NetMail installation files have appropriate ownership and permissions set to prevent unauthorized modification. The recommended approach includes implementing proper access control lists, ensuring that system files are owned by root or designated service accounts with appropriate group memberships. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other system components that may have been configured with similar weak permissions, as this represents a systemic security issue that could affect multiple applications or services within the environment. The remediation process should align with ATT&CK technique T1068 by addressing local privilege escalation vectors and T1070 by implementing proper file integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized modifications to critical system components.