CVE-2005-2101 in KDE
Summary
by MITRE
langen2kvtml in KDE 3.0 to 3.4.2 creates insecure temporary files in /tmp with predictable names, which allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-2101 represents a critical security flaw in the KDE desktop environment affecting versions 3.0 through 3.4.2. This issue stems from the improper handling of temporary files within the langen2kvtml utility, which is part of the KDE multimedia framework. The vulnerability specifically targets the creation of temporary files in the /tmp directory with predictable naming conventions, creating a significant attack surface for local privilege escalation and file manipulation attacks.
The technical flaw manifests in the predictable naming scheme used by langen2kvtml when generating temporary files in the /tmp directory. This predictable naming pattern allows malicious local users to anticipate the exact file paths that will be created during the utility's operation. According to CWE-377, this represents an insecure temporary file creation vulnerability where the system creates temporary files without proper security measures to prevent predictable naming. The flaw essentially enables a race condition attack where an attacker can create symbolic links or hard links to the expected temporary file locations before the legitimate process creates them, thereby gaining the ability to overwrite arbitrary files on the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file overwriting capabilities and represents a serious threat to system integrity and security. Local users can leverage this weakness to overwrite critical system files, configuration files, or even files owned by other users with elevated privileges. This creates a potential privilege escalation vector where a low-privilege user can manipulate the system in ways that compromise its security. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1055.001 which describes privilege escalation through modification of system processes, and T1074.001 which covers data manipulation through temporary files. The attack can be executed without requiring network access or remote exploitation, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where users may have access to the system but should not possess elevated privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-2101 should focus on immediate patching of affected KDE versions to ensure that temporary file creation uses secure methods with unpredictable naming. Organizations should implement proper temporary file handling practices that utilize secure temporary file creation functions such as mkstemp() or similar secure APIs that generate unpredictable file names and ensure proper file permissions. System administrators should also conduct thorough security audits to identify other applications within the KDE environment that might exhibit similar insecure temporary file creation patterns. Additionally, implementing proper file system permissions and monitoring for unauthorized file modifications in the /tmp directory can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and adherence to security standards such as those defined in the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) guidelines for temporary file handling and the principle of least privilege in system design.