CVE-2005-3137 in cfengine
Summary
by MITRE
The (1) cfmailfilter and (2) cfcron.in files for cfengine 1.6.5 allow local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on temporary files, a different vulnerability than CVE-2005-2960.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3137 affects cfengine version 1.6.5 and represents a significant security flaw in the file handling mechanisms of the cfmailfilter and cfcron.in components. This issue stems from improper handling of temporary files during the execution of these scripts, creating opportunities for local privilege escalation through symbolic link attacks. The vulnerability is distinct from CVE-2005-2960, indicating a separate attack vector within the same software ecosystem.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the creation of temporary files by cfengine processes without proper validation of file ownership or existence. When cfmailfilter and cfcron.in execute, they create temporary files in predictable locations that can be manipulated by local attackers through symlink attacks. An attacker who has access to the system can create symbolic links in the temporary file locations, causing the vulnerable scripts to write data to files of their choosing rather than to the intended temporary files. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-377 weakness category, specifically CWE-377: Insecure Temporary File, which is classified as a high-severity issue in the Common Weakness Enumeration taxonomy.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file overwriting, as it can enable local users to gain elevated privileges or compromise system integrity. Attackers can leverage this weakness to overwrite critical system files, configuration files, or even executable programs, potentially leading to privilege escalation or persistent access to the compromised system. The attack requires local system access but does not require network connectivity, making it particularly concerning for environments where local access is not strictly controlled. This vulnerability directly maps to several techniques in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1068 (Local Privilege Escalation) domains, as the exploitation involves manipulating temporary file handling to achieve unauthorized system modifications.
The remediation approach for CVE-2005-3137 requires immediate patching of cfengine to version 1.6.6 or later, which addresses the temporary file handling issues through proper file validation and secure temporary file creation mechanisms. Organizations should also implement proper file system permissions and ownership checks for temporary directories, ensuring that temporary files are created with appropriate security attributes. System administrators should conduct thorough security audits to identify other potential instances of insecure temporary file handling within their cfengine deployments and related scripts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices in system administration tools, particularly regarding temporary file creation and handling, and serves as a reminder of the critical need for proper input validation and file system security measures in all system components.