CVE-2005-2104 in sysreport
Summary
by MITRE
sysreport before 1.3.7 allows local users to obtain sensitive information via a symlink attack on a temporary directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2104 affects the sysreport utility version 1.3.6 and earlier, presenting a significant security risk through improper handling of temporary directories during execution. This flaw enables local attackers to exploit a symbolic link attack mechanism that can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive system information. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the sysreport utility creates temporary files in directories that are not properly secured against symlink manipulation, allowing malicious users to redirect file operations to arbitrary locations on the filesystem.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the utility's failure to validate the security of temporary directory paths before creating temporary files within them. When sysreport executes, it typically creates temporary files in predictable locations such as /tmp or other writable directories, without ensuring that these directories are properly secured against symlink attacks. Attackers can create symbolic links in the temporary directory that point to sensitive system files, and when sysreport attempts to write to what it believes is a temporary file, it actually overwrites or reads the targeted sensitive files. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-377: Insecure Temporary Files, which is classified as a weakness in software design that allows attackers to manipulate temporary file operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can potentially allow attackers to escalate privileges or access confidential system data. Local users who can manipulate the temporary directory structure gain the ability to read sensitive files such as password hashes, configuration data, or other system information that should remain protected. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges and can be executed by any user with access to the system who understands the temporary directory structure. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1005: Data from Local System, where adversaries can leverage local access to extract sensitive information through various means including file manipulation attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the sysreport utility to version 1.3.7 or later, which includes proper temporary file handling mechanisms. System administrators should ensure that temporary directories are properly secured by setting appropriate permissions and ensuring that the directories are not writable by untrusted users. Additionally, implementing proper directory validation and using secure temporary file creation methods such as mkstemp() or similar functions that guarantee atomic creation of temporary files can prevent this class of attack. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring for unauthorized file system changes in temporary directories and conduct regular security audits to identify potential symlink attack vectors. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper temporary file handling in security-sensitive applications and serves as a reminder of the need for robust input validation and secure coding practices throughout the software development lifecycle.