CVE-2005-3340 in tux paint
Summary
by MITRE
the tuxpaint-import.sh script in tux paint (tuxpaint) 0.9.14 and earlier creates temporary files insecurely with unknown impact and attack vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/04/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3340 resides within the tuxpaint-import.sh script distributed with Tux Paint version 0.9.14 and earlier. This script serves as an import utility for handling various image formats within the Tux Paint educational drawing application. The core issue stems from the insecure creation of temporary files during the import process, which creates a potential security risk that could be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects a utility script that handles external file processing, making it accessible through normal application usage patterns.
The technical flaw manifests in the insecure handling of temporary file creation within the tuxpaint-import.sh script. When processing imported image files, the script generates temporary files without proper security measures such as secure temporary file creation methods or appropriate file permissions. This insecure approach can lead to various attack vectors including temporary file symlink attacks, race conditions, and potential privilege escalation scenarios. The unknown impact and attack vectors referenced in the CVE description indicate that the specific exploitation methods were not fully characterized at the time of discovery, but the insecure temporary file creation pattern is well-documented in security literature as a common vulnerability class. This pattern aligns with CWE-377, which addresses the insecure creation of temporary files, and CWE-378, which covers the creation of temporary files with insecure permissions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file processing failures and could enable attackers to manipulate the application's behavior or escalate privileges. When users import images into Tux Paint, the application creates temporary files in potentially insecure locations or with inadequate permissions, allowing an attacker to replace these temporary files with malicious content. This could result in arbitrary code execution, privilege escalation, or data corruption within the application environment. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where Tux Paint is used with elevated privileges or where users have the ability to import files from untrusted sources. Attackers could exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to system resources or compromise the integrity of the application's import functionality.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-3340 should focus on updating to patched versions of Tux Paint where the insecure temporary file handling has been corrected. System administrators should ensure that all installations of Tux Paint are updated to versions that properly implement secure temporary file creation methods, typically involving the use of secure temporary file APIs and appropriate file permissions. Additionally, implementing proper file access controls and monitoring for unauthorized temporary file modifications can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices in shell scripts and highlights the need for proper temporary file handling as outlined in various security standards and best practices. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and restricting file import capabilities where possible to minimize the attack surface.
The vulnerability represents a classic example of insecure temporary file handling that has been documented in numerous security advisories and vulnerability databases. It underscores the critical importance of proper file permission management and secure temporary file creation practices in shell scripting environments. The attack vectors associated with this vulnerability align with common exploitation techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under techniques related to privilege escalation and execution through temporary files. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for security reviews of legacy applications and the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions to protect against known security weaknesses.