CVE-2005-3331 in Mgdiff Patch Viewer
Summary
by MITRE
viewpatch in mgdiff 1.0 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on temporary files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3331 resides within the mgdiff 1.0 software suite, specifically affecting the viewpatch component. This issue represents a classic race condition vulnerability that exploits insecure temporary file handling mechanisms. The flaw occurs when the viewpatch utility creates temporary files without proper security measures, making it susceptible to symlink attacks that can be exploited by local users to overwrite arbitrary files on the system. Such vulnerabilities fall under the broader category of insecure temporary file creation as classified by CWE-377, which specifically addresses the creation of temporary files with insecure permissions or predictable names.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the timing gap between when a temporary file is created and when it is properly secured. Attackers can create symbolic links with predictable names in the same directory where mgdiff intends to create its temporary files. When the viewpatch utility runs, it processes these malicious symlinks and writes data to locations specified by the symbolic links rather than the intended temporary file locations. This type of attack is particularly dangerous because it can be used to overwrite critical system files, configuration files, or even executable programs, potentially leading to privilege escalation or complete system compromise. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for executing malicious code through command-line interfaces, and T1068 for privilege escalation through local exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file overwrites, as it can enable attackers to manipulate the system's behavior in significant ways. Local users with minimal privileges can leverage this weakness to gain elevated access or cause denial of service conditions by overwriting critical system components. The vulnerability affects systems where mgdiff is installed and executed with sufficient privileges to create temporary files, making it particularly concerning in multi-user environments where local privilege escalation could lead to broader system compromise. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper temporary file handling practices and the necessity of implementing atomic file creation operations to prevent such race conditions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention from system administrators and security teams. The primary recommendation involves updating to a patched version of mgdiff where the temporary file creation process has been secured with proper permissions and unpredictable naming schemes. Organizations should also implement proper file system permissions and access controls to limit the ability of local users to create symbolic links in directories where temporary files are used. The remediation process should include reviewing all software installations for similar vulnerabilities and implementing the principle of least privilege to minimize the impact of such attacks. Additionally, system monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious file creation patterns and unauthorized symbolic link manipulation attempts, which can serve as indicators of potential exploitation attempts.