CVE-2007-5718 in vobcopy
Summary
by MITRE
vobcopy 0.5.14 allows local users to append data to an arbitrary file, or create an arbitrary new file, via a symlink attack on the (1) /tmp/vobcopy.bla or (2) /tmp/vobcopy_0.5.14.log temporary file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/06/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5718 affects vobcopy version 0.5.14, a tool used for copying dvd video files to hard disk. This issue represents a classic symlink attack vulnerability that exploits improper handling of temporary files during program execution. The flaw occurs when the application creates temporary files in the /tmp directory without adequate security measures to prevent malicious users from manipulating the file system. The vulnerability specifically targets two temporary files: /tmp/vobcopy.bla and /tmp/vobcopy_0.5.14.log, both of which are susceptible to symbolic link attacks that allow local privilege escalation and arbitrary file manipulation.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate temporary file creation processes. When vobcopy executes, it generates temporary files in the /tmp directory without implementing proper atomic file creation mechanisms or security checks to ensure these files are not symlinks. This behavior creates a race condition scenario where a local attacker can establish symbolic links with the same names as the temporary files before the application creates them, effectively redirecting file operations to arbitrary locations on the file system. The flaw aligns with CWE-377, which addresses insecure temporary file creation practices, and demonstrates poor input validation and file system security handling.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for systems running affected versions of vobcopy, as it provides local attackers with the capability to append data to existing files or create entirely new files with arbitrary content. This could potentially lead to privilege escalation attacks where malicious users gain unauthorized access to system resources or modify critical system files. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to overwrite configuration files, inject malicious code into system processes, or manipulate application behavior to gain elevated privileges. The vulnerability particularly affects systems where vobcopy is used with elevated privileges or where users have access to the /tmp directory, making it a serious concern for system administrators managing multimedia processing environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-5718 should focus on immediate remediation through software updates to versions that properly handle temporary file creation. System administrators should implement proper file system permissions and consider using secure temporary file creation methods that prevent symbolic link attacks. The solution aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which addresses privilege escalation through file system manipulation, and requires implementing proper file validation and atomic file creation practices. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring for suspicious file system activities in the /tmp directory and ensure that temporary file creation processes use secure methods such as creating files with restricted permissions or using dedicated temporary directories with appropriate security controls. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing proper input validation to prevent similar issues in other applications.