CVE-2005-4683 in MigrationTools
Summary
by MITRE
PADL MigrationTools 46, when a failure occurs, stores contents of /etc/shadow in a world-readable /tmp/nis.$$.ldif file, and possibly other sensitive information in other temporary files, which are not properly managed by (1) migrate_all_online.sh, (2) migrate_all_offline.sh, (3) migrate_all_netinfo_online.sh, (4) migrate_all_netinfo_offline.sh, (5) migrate_all_nis_online.sh, (6) migrate_all_nis_offline.sh, (7) migrate_all_nisplus_online.sh, and (8) migrate_all_nisplus_offline.sh.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/16/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4683 affects PADL MigrationTools version 46, a suite of scripts designed for migrating user accounts and system configurations between different directory services. This critical security flaw stems from improper handling of temporary files during migration processes, creating persistent security exposures that can be exploited by unauthorized users. The vulnerability manifests when migration scripts encounter failures during execution, resulting in the creation of world-readable temporary files that contain sensitive system information. The affected scripts include various migration workflows for NIS, NIS+, and NetInfo directory services, each of which fails to properly secure temporary files containing system credentials and configuration data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the creation of temporary files in the /tmp directory without proper permission settings, specifically the /tmp/nis.$$.ldif file which contains the contents of /etc/shadow. This file typically contains password hashes and other sensitive authentication data that should never be accessible to all system users. The flaw occurs because the migration scripts do not implement proper cleanup procedures or file permission controls when failures occur, leaving sensitive information exposed in predictable temporary file locations. The issue affects multiple migration workflows, indicating a systemic design flaw rather than isolated script-level problems. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-732: Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource, which specifically addresses improper permissions on security-critical resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it provides attackers with direct access to password hashes and potentially other sensitive system information. An attacker with local access to the system can simply locate the world-readable temporary files in /tmp and extract the contained credentials, enabling them to perform password-based attacks or gain unauthorized access to user accounts. The exposure of /etc/shadow contents particularly undermines the security of the entire system, as these password hashes can be targeted using password cracking tools or brute force attacks. Additionally, the presence of other sensitive information in temporary files may include user account details, system configurations, or authentication parameters that could facilitate further exploitation. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1003: OS Credential Dumping and T1078: Valid Accounts, as it provides adversaries with legitimate credential material that can be used for persistence and privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper temporary file management procedures and access control measures. System administrators should ensure that all temporary files created during migration processes are created with restrictive permissions, typically 600 or 640, and that they are properly cleaned up after migration completion or failure. The scripts should be modified to implement proper error handling that includes secure temporary file creation and automatic cleanup procedures. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect the presence of world-readable temporary files in /tmp directories and establish regular security audits to identify and remediate similar issues. The recommended approach aligns with security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 controls for secure system administration and access control management, ensuring that sensitive information is properly protected throughout all system operations.