CVE-2006-4232 in Globus Toolkit
Summary
by MITRE
Race condition in the grid-proxy-init tool in Globus Toolkit 3.2.x, 4.0.x, and 4.1.0 before 20060815 allows local users to steal credential data by replacing the proxy credentials file in between file creation and the check for exclusive file access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-4232 represents a critical race condition flaw within the grid-proxy-init tool component of the Globus Toolkit software ecosystem. This issue affects versions 3.2.x, 4.0.x, and 4.1.0 of the toolkit prior to the 20060815 release, creating a security weakness that directly impacts the integrity of credential management in grid computing environments. The vulnerability specifically targets the credential handling process where the tool creates proxy credential files and subsequently validates exclusive file access, establishing a window of opportunity for malicious actors to exploit the temporal gap between these operations.
The technical implementation of this race condition stems from the flawed sequence of operations within the grid-proxy-init utility. During normal operation, the tool creates a proxy credentials file and then performs a check to ensure exclusive access to that file before proceeding with credential processing. However, the vulnerability arises because local users can manipulate the file system between the file creation phase and the exclusive access validation phase. This temporal window allows attackers to replace the legitimate proxy file with a maliciously crafted alternative, effectively enabling credential theft and unauthorized access to protected grid resources. The flaw operates at the file system level and leverages fundamental timing issues in file creation and access validation mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, representing a significant threat to grid computing security infrastructure. Local users who exploit this race condition can gain unauthorized access to sensitive credential data, potentially compromising entire grid computing environments where trust relationships and access controls are paramount. The vulnerability undermines the fundamental security assumptions of the Globus Toolkit's credential management system, creating opportunities for privilege escalation and unauthorized resource access. This weakness particularly affects distributed computing environments where grid infrastructure relies on secure credential handling to maintain access control boundaries and protect sensitive data processing operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Globus Toolkit versions to 20060815 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to eliminate the race condition. Organizations should implement proper file system access controls and ensure that credential files are created with appropriate permissions and atomic operations to prevent replacement during the validation phase. The fix addresses the underlying CWE-362 weakness related to race conditions in concurrent access scenarios, aligning with security best practices for file system operations in multi-user environments. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized file system modifications and establish secure credential management practices that minimize the attack surface for such temporal vulnerabilities.
This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper synchronization mechanisms in security-critical applications and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.001 for credentials in files, highlighting how race conditions can create opportunities for credential theft. The issue also reflects broader concerns about secure file handling practices in distributed computing environments, where the complexity of concurrent operations can introduce unexpected security weaknesses. Organizations utilizing grid computing frameworks must maintain vigilant patch management processes to address such temporal vulnerabilities that can compromise the integrity of their distributed security infrastructures.