CVE-2005-4803 in Graphviz
Summary
by MITRE
graphviz before 2.2.1 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on temporary files. NOTE: this issue was originally associated with a different CVE identifier, CVE-2005-2965, which had been used for multiple different issues. This is the correct identifier.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/07/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4803 affects the graphviz software suite prior to version 2.2.1 and represents a critical file system security flaw that enables local attackers to overwrite arbitrary files through symbolic link manipulation. This issue falls under the category of insecure temporary file handling and represents a classic symlink attack vector that has been documented in various security contexts. The vulnerability specifically manifests when graphviz applications create temporary files without proper security checks, allowing malicious users to establish symbolic links that point to sensitive system files, thereby enabling unauthorized file overwrites. This type of attack directly violates the principle of least privilege and demonstrates poor file system access control mechanisms within the software's temporary file creation process.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the improper handling of temporary files during graphviz processing operations. When the software generates temporary files, it typically creates them in predictable locations without sufficient validation to ensure they do not already exist or are not vulnerable to symlink attacks. Attackers can exploit this weakness by creating symbolic links with the same names as the temporary files that graphviz expects to create, effectively redirecting the software's file operations to target arbitrary locations on the filesystem. This behavior aligns with CWE-377, which addresses insecure temporary file creation, and CWE-378, which covers the creation of temporary files with insecure permissions. The attack requires local system access and does not involve network exposure, making it a local privilege escalation or file system manipulation vulnerability rather than a remote attack vector.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file overwrites to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks within a compromised system. An attacker with local access could use this vulnerability to overwrite critical system configuration files, executable binaries, or sensitive data files, potentially leading to system compromise or data corruption. The vulnerability affects all versions of graphviz prior to 2.2.1, making it a widespread issue across many systems that rely on this graph visualization software for diagram creation and data visualization purposes. In enterprise environments where graphviz is commonly used for network topology visualization, system documentation, or data flow representation, this vulnerability could provide attackers with a means to manipulate critical documentation or potentially escalate privileges through the modification of system files. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it operates silently and can be executed by any local user with access to the system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-4803 focus primarily on software updates and proper system hardening measures. The most effective immediate solution is upgrading to graphviz version 2.2.1 or later, which includes proper temporary file handling mechanisms that prevent symlink attacks. System administrators should also implement proper file system permissions and ensure that temporary directories used by graphviz applications have restricted write access. Additional mitigations include running graphviz applications with reduced privileges, implementing proper file system monitoring to detect unauthorized file modifications, and conducting regular security audits of system configurations. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through command-line interfaces and T1566 for initial access through local system exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security updates and maintain proper system baseline configurations to prevent exploitation of such vulnerabilities. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of secure coding practices and proper temporary file handling in preventing privilege escalation attacks.