CVE-2007-1444 in netperf
Summary
by MITRE
netserver in netperf 2.4.3 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on /tmp/netperf.debug.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/27/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1444 resides within the netserver component of netperf version 2.4.3, representing a classic file system race condition and symlink attack vector that enables local privilege escalation and arbitrary file overwrite capabilities. This flaw specifically manifests when the netserver daemon creates temporary files in the /tmp directory without proper security controls, making it susceptible to malicious symlink manipulation by local users who lack direct write permissions to the target directory.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits a predictable temporary file naming convention within the netserver process. When netserver initializes and attempts to create debugging output files in /tmp, it generates filenames that follow a deterministic pattern, typically including the process identifier or other predictable elements. Local attackers can create symbolic links with the same names in the /tmp directory before the legitimate file creation occurs, causing the netserver process to write data to the attacker-controlled symlink target instead of the intended temporary file location. This represents a well-documented weakness categorized under CWE-377: Insecure Temporary Files, which falls within the broader category of insecure file handling practices that frequently lead to privilege escalation and data integrity compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file overwrites to encompass potential privilege escalation scenarios and system compromise. An attacker who can execute code with the privileges of the netserver process can leverage this flaw to overwrite critical system files, configuration data, or even binaries that the netserver process might write to, potentially leading to persistent backdoors or complete system control. The attack vector requires local system access but does not necessitate network connectivity, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where attackers might have limited access to the system but can manipulate the temporary file creation process. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter usage and T1068 for local privilege escalation, demonstrating how seemingly minor file handling flaws can compound into significant security risks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-1444 should focus on implementing proper temporary file handling practices and privilege separation. System administrators should immediately upgrade to netperf versions that address this vulnerability, as the original 2.4.3 release contains no built-in protections against symlink attacks. The recommended approach involves using secure temporary file creation methods that employ atomic operations and proper file permission controls, such as creating temporary files with restrictive permissions and using unique, unpredictable names that cannot be easily guessed or pre-created by attackers. Additionally, implementing proper privilege separation where the netserver daemon runs with minimal required permissions and avoiding execution in world-writable directories like /tmp significantly reduces the attack surface. Network segmentation and monitoring for unauthorized file system modifications in temporary directories can provide additional detection capabilities for potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing mandatory access controls or file system capabilities that prevent symlink creation in critical temporary directories, aligning with security best practices outlined in the CIS Benchmarks and NIST SP 800-53 security controls.