CVE-2005-4772 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
liby2util in Yet another Setup Tool (YaST) in SUSE Linux before 20051007 preserves permissions and ownerships when copying a remote repository, which might allow local users to read or modify sensitive files, possibly giving local users the ability to exploit CVE-2005-3013.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/07/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-4772 affects the liby2util library component within SUSE Linux's Yet another Setup Tool (YaST) system. This issue represents a significant security flaw in how the system handles file permissions during remote repository operations, creating potential pathways for local privilege escalation and unauthorized access to sensitive system resources. The vulnerability specifically manifests in the improper handling of file attributes when copying repository contents from remote sources to local storage.
The technical flaw resides in the liby2util library's implementation of file copying operations within YaST's repository management functionality. When YaST processes remote repository data, it fails to properly sanitize or reset file permissions and ownership attributes during the copy process. This behavior preserves the original permissions and ownership information from the remote source, which can include sensitive system files with elevated privileges or restricted access controls. The flaw directly enables local users to potentially gain unauthorized access to files that should remain protected, creating a dangerous escalation path within the system's security model.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it creates a vector for exploitation of related security flaws within the same system. Local users who can manipulate the YaST repository copying process gain the ability to read or modify sensitive files that may contain system configuration data, authentication credentials, or other critical information. This vulnerability directly enables exploitation of CVE-2005-3013, which suggests that the permission preservation issue creates conditions that allow attackers to leverage additional weaknesses in the system's security architecture. The implications are particularly severe in environments where YaST is used for system administration tasks or where local user access is not strictly controlled.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper file permissions, and represents a classic case of insufficient access control in file operations. The flaw demonstrates poor security practices in privilege management and file attribute handling within system administration tools. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this issue maps to privilege escalation techniques through access control weaknesses, specifically targeting the T1068 privilege escalation tactic. The vulnerability creates a persistent access vector that can be exploited repeatedly, making it particularly dangerous for long-running systems or those with multiple local users. Organizations should implement immediate patching measures to address this flaw, ensuring that all systems running affected versions of SUSE Linux receive the necessary security updates to prevent unauthorized file access and privilege escalation.
The security implications of this vulnerability highlight the importance of proper file attribute handling in system administration tools. When tools like YaST copy files from remote sources, they must ensure that all file permissions and ownership are properly reset to appropriate security levels for the local system environment. This incident underscores the critical need for security-conscious development practices in administrative utilities and the necessity of thorough security testing for file handling operations. The vulnerability serves as a reminder that seemingly minor implementation details in system tools can create significant security risks when they fail to properly enforce access controls and privilege boundaries.