CVE-2005-3115 in mpeg-tools
Summary
by MITRE
mpeg-tools before 1.5b-r2 creates multiple temporary files insecurely which allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via (1) ts.stat (2) ts.mpg (3) foobar (4) blockbar or (5) foobar[nnn].
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3115 affects mpeg-tools version 1.5b-r2 and earlier, presenting a critical security flaw in how the software handles temporary file creation during processing operations. This issue stems from insecure temporary file handling practices that create opportunities for local privilege escalation and arbitrary file overwrite attacks. The vulnerability specifically impacts the ts.stat, ts.mpg, foobar, blockbar, and foobar[nnn] temporary files used by the mpeg-tools utility during media processing operations.
The technical flaw manifests through the insecure creation of temporary files without proper validation of file paths or permissions, allowing local attackers to manipulate the system's temporary file creation process. This insecure practice creates a race condition vulnerability where malicious users can create symbolic links or hard links to target files before the mpeg-tools application attempts to write to the temporary locations. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-377 as insecure temporary file creation and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage in privilege escalation scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for systems running affected versions of mpeg-tools, as local attackers can leverage this flaw to overwrite arbitrary files with potentially malicious content. This capability extends to critical system files, configuration files, or files owned by other users, potentially leading to privilege escalation or system compromise. The vulnerability affects any user who can execute the mpeg-tools utility, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where users may have legitimate access to the software but not to sensitive system resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-3115 include immediate upgrading to mpeg-tools version 1.5b-r2 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the insecure temporary file handling. System administrators should also implement proper file permissions and access controls to limit who can execute the mpeg-tools utility, while monitoring for unauthorized file creation in temporary directories. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing privilege separation techniques and ensuring that temporary file operations use secure methods such as creating files with unique names and proper permissions, or using dedicated temporary directories with restricted access controls to prevent symbolic link attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to security guidelines for temporary file management in Unix-like systems.