CVE-2005-4552 in Solaris
Summary
by MITRE
The (1) slsmgr and (2) slsadmin programs in Sun Solaris PC NetLink 2.0 create temporary files insecurely, which allows local users to gain privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4552 affects Sun Solaris PC NetLink 2.0 software, specifically targeting the slsmgr and slsadmin administrative programs. This issue represents a classic insecure temporary file creation flaw that enables local privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of temporary files during program execution, creating opportunities for malicious users to manipulate system resources and elevate their privileges from standard user level to administrative access. The affected programs operate with elevated privileges during their execution, making the insecure temporary file creation particularly dangerous as it provides a direct pathway for privilege escalation.
The technical flaw manifests in the insecure creation of temporary files by the slsmgr and slsadmin programs. These applications fail to properly secure temporary file creation processes, often using predictable naming conventions or creating files with insufficient permissions. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-377, which addresses insecure temporary file creation practices, and CWE-378, which covers the creation of temporary files with insecure permissions. Attackers can exploit this by creating symbolic links or hard links to target files that the privileged programs will modify, thereby gaining access to files they normally couldn't modify or read. This technique typically involves race condition exploitation where the attacker creates a temporary file that the legitimate program will overwrite, potentially allowing the attacker to modify the contents of files owned by the privileged process.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-4552 is significant for Solaris systems running PC NetLink 2.0, as it allows local attackers to bypass normal access controls and gain administrative privileges. This creates a substantial security risk for systems where local users might have access to the affected software, particularly in multi-user environments where privilege separation is crucial. The vulnerability affects systems where the slsmgr and slsadmin programs are executed with elevated privileges, potentially allowing attackers to modify system configuration files, access sensitive data, or establish persistent access. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires only local user access and does not necessitate network connectivity or complex exploitation techniques. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where local access is not properly restricted or where users might be granted unnecessary access to system administration tools.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-4552 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening. The primary solution involves updating to patched versions of Sun Solaris PC NetLink software where the insecure temporary file creation has been addressed. System administrators should also implement proper file permissions and ownership controls for temporary file directories, ensuring that temporary files are created with appropriate security attributes. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by running these programs with minimal required privileges rather than elevated administrative rights. Additionally, the affected systems should be monitored for unauthorized access attempts and the programs should be configured to use secure temporary file creation methods that prevent symbolic link attacks. Organizations should consider implementing security controls such as file integrity monitoring and access logging to detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and proper temporary file handling techniques as outlined in various security frameworks and standards. The issue also demonstrates the need for regular security assessments and vulnerability management processes to identify and remediate similar insecure programming practices in system software components.