CVE-2005-2660 in apachetop
Summary
by MITRE
apachetop 0.12.5 and earlier, when running in debug mode, allows local users to create or append to arbitrary files via a symlink attack on atop.debug.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2660 affects apachetop version 0.12.5 and earlier implementations when operating in debug mode. This represents a significant security flaw that exploits the way the application handles file operations during debugging processes. The issue stems from insufficient validation of file paths and symbolic link handling within the debug functionality, creating an avenue for privilege escalation through malicious file manipulation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a race condition and symlink attack pattern that allows local attackers to manipulate the file system during apachetop's debug operations. When the application runs in debug mode, it creates or appends to files using predictable naming conventions, specifically targeting atop.debug. The flaw occurs because the application does not properly validate whether the target file path points to a symbolic link or if it can be manipulated through symlink attacks. This weakness enables attackers to redirect the debug output to arbitrary locations on the file system, potentially allowing them to write to sensitive system files or directories.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a serious threat to system security as it allows local users to escalate privileges and potentially compromise system integrity. The attack vector requires local system access but does not necessitate elevated privileges initially, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where users may have limited access but can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized write access to critical system components. The vulnerability can be leveraged to create backdoors, modify system logs, or inject malicious content into files that the application writes to during its debugging process.
The root cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-59: Improper Link Resolution, which specifically addresses issues related to symbolic link handling in file operations. Additionally, this vulnerability can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, as it may enable attackers to establish persistence through malicious file creation. The flaw also relates to privilege escalation techniques and file system manipulation methods commonly used in local attack scenarios. Organizations should consider implementing proper file path validation, avoiding predictable file names in debug modes, and ensuring that applications do not follow symbolic links when creating or modifying files in security-sensitive contexts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include upgrading to apachetop version 0.12.6 or later, which contains patches addressing the symlink handling issue. System administrators should disable debug mode when not actively troubleshooting, implement proper file system permissions, and conduct regular security audits of applications running in debug modes. The implementation of proper input validation and file path sanitization measures can prevent similar issues in other applications. Additionally, monitoring for unauthorized file creation in debug directories and implementing file integrity checking mechanisms can help detect exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege models to limit local user access to systems where such vulnerabilities might exist.