CVE-2006-2221 in Install Builder
Summary
by MITRE
A third-party installer generation tool, possibly BitRock InstallBuilder, as used in products including Process-one ejabberd 1.1.1_1 and earlier, generates an installer that allows local users to cause a denial of service via a symlink attack on the bitrock_installer.log temporary file. NOTE: it is possible that this vulnerability is present in other products that use this installer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/07/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2221 represents a significant security flaw in third-party installer generation tools that affects multiple software products including Process-one ejabberd version 1.1.1_1 and earlier. This issue stems from improper handling of temporary files during the installation process, specifically involving the bitrock_installer.log file that is created during installation operations. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-377 as "Insecure Temporary File" and falls within the broader category of insecure file handling practices that can lead to various security consequences including privilege escalation and denial of service conditions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a symbolic link attack mechanism where local users can create malicious symbolic links that point to critical system files or directories. When the installer attempts to write to the bitrock_installer.log temporary file, the malicious symlink causes the installer to write data to unintended locations rather than the expected temporary file location. This behavior can result in the overwrite of critical system files, consumption of system resources, or disruption of normal installation procedures. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the local user level, meaning that any user with access to the system can potentially exploit this weakness to cause system instability or denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios as it can potentially be leveraged to gain unauthorized access to system resources or to disrupt normal operations of the affected software. When the installer encounters the malicious symbolic link, it may attempt to write to locations that could contain sensitive system data or configuration files, leading to potential data corruption or system compromise. The vulnerability's presence in multiple products that utilize the same installer tool means that organizations deploying various software solutions built with BitRock InstallBuilder may be simultaneously exposed to this risk. This widespread potential impact makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where multiple applications may be deployed using the same installer infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper temporary file handling practices and restricting file system permissions during installation processes. Organizations should ensure that all third-party installer generation tools are updated to versions that properly handle temporary file creation and avoid insecure symbolic link resolution. System administrators should implement file system monitoring to detect unauthorized symbolic link creation in temporary directories and consider restricting write permissions for temporary file locations. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and proper input validation when dealing with file operations, particularly in installation and deployment scenarios where temporary files are commonly used. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify other potential installations that may be using vulnerable versions of the affected installer tools, as the issue may be present in numerous products that utilize BitRock InstallBuilder components. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure temporary file management in software installation processes and the potential for seemingly minor implementation flaws to create significant security risks.