CVE-2005-3342 in noweb
Summary
by MITRE
noweb 2.10c and earlier allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via symlink attacks on temporary files in (1) lib/toascii.nw and (2) shell/roff.mm.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/07/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-3342 represents a critical security flaw in the noweb documentation system version 2.10c and earlier. This issue manifests as a race condition vulnerability that enables local attackers to manipulate the file system through symbolic link attacks against temporary files generated during the software's operation. The vulnerability specifically affects two key components within the noweb distribution: lib/toascii.nw and shell/roff.mm, which are integral parts of the documentation generation and processing pipeline. These files create temporary files during their execution process, which are subsequently susceptible to exploitation through malicious symlink manipulation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the insecure handling of temporary files within the noweb system. When these specific modules execute, they generate temporary files in predictable locations without proper security measures to prevent symbolic link attacks. Attackers can exploit this by creating malicious symbolic links in the same directories where the temporary files are expected to be created, effectively tricking the system into writing data to arbitrary locations on the file system. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of time-of-check to time-of-use race conditions, where the system checks for file existence or permissions before using the file, but the state changes between these checks. The flaw directly relates to CWE-367, which describes the Time-of-Check to Time-of-Use race condition, and also connects to CWE-22, which covers improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file overwrites, as it provides attackers with a mechanism to gain unauthorized access to system resources and potentially escalate privileges. Local users who can execute the vulnerable noweb components can leverage this flaw to write malicious content to critical system files, configuration files, or even executable programs. This creates a potential attack vector for privilege escalation and persistent access to compromised systems. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the local user level, meaning any user with access to execute noweb can exploit it, making it a significant concern for multi-user systems and environments where users may not have elevated privileges. The attack can be particularly effective in environments where the noweb system is used frequently or where automated processes rely on its functionality.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-3342 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves upgrading to noweb version 2.11 or later, where the vulnerability has been addressed through secure temporary file creation mechanisms. System administrators should also implement proper file system permissions and ensure that temporary file directories are properly secured with restrictive permissions to prevent unauthorized symlink creation. Additionally, the use of secure temporary file creation functions that prevent race conditions should be enforced throughout the system. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect suspicious file system activities and symbolic link manipulations. This vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adheres to ATT&CK technique T1059 for executing commands through shell interactions and T1078 for legitimate credentials use in privilege escalation scenarios. The attack pattern aligns with common exploitation methods that leverage insecure temporary file handling, making it a critical consideration for system hardening and security audits.