CVE-2006-4233 in Globus Toolkit
Summary
by MITRE
Globus Toolkit 3.2.x, 4.0.x, and 4.1.0 before 20060815 allow local users to obtain sensitive information (proxy certificates) and overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on temporary files in the /tmp directory, as demonstrated by files created by (1) myproxy-admin-adduser, (2) grid-ca-sign, and (3) grid-security-config.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-4233 represents a critical security flaw in the Globus Toolkit software suite, which was widely used for grid computing infrastructure. This issue affects versions 3.2.x, 4.0.x, and 4.1.0 of the toolkit before the specific patch date of 20060815, creating a persistent risk for systems implementing grid computing environments. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of temporary files within the /tmp directory, which creates a dangerous attack surface for local users seeking to exploit the system.
The technical flaw manifests through a classic symlink attack pattern where malicious local users can manipulate temporary files created by legitimate administrative tools. When commands such as myproxy-admin-adduser, grid-ca-sign, and grid-security-config execute, they create temporary files in the /tmp directory without proper security checks. Attackers can exploit this by creating symbolic links with the same names as expected temporary files, causing the vulnerable applications to write sensitive data to locations controlled by the attacker. This creates a privilege escalation scenario where local users can access proxy certificates and potentially overwrite arbitrary files on the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to critical grid security components. Proxy certificates contain authentication credentials that can be used to impersonate legitimate users within the grid computing environment, potentially allowing unauthorized access to distributed resources and services. The ability to overwrite arbitrary files through this attack vector creates additional risks including potential system compromise, data corruption, or service disruption. This vulnerability particularly affects grid computing environments where multiple users share systems and where administrative tools require elevated privileges to function properly.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-377, which describes insecure temporary file creation practices, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1059 for privilege escalation through local system manipulation. The attack requires local system access but can result in significant security breaches within grid computing infrastructures. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of the Globus Toolkit, implementing proper file permissions for temporary directories, and conducting security audits of administrative tools. Additional protective measures include monitoring for unauthorized symbolic link creation in temporary directories and implementing mandatory access controls to limit the impact of such attacks. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of secure temporary file handling in security-sensitive applications and the need for comprehensive security testing of administrative tools in distributed computing environments.