CVE-2008-2958 in checkinstall
Summary
by MITRE
Race condition in (1) checkinstall 1.6.1 and (2) installwatch allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files and have other impacts via symlink and possibly other attacks on temporary working directories.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/27/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2958 represents a critical race condition flaw affecting checkinstall version 1.6.1 and installwatch utilities. This weakness stems from improper handling of temporary working directories during package installation processes, creating exploitable conditions that allow local attackers to manipulate system files through symbolic link attacks. The race condition occurs when the system creates temporary directories without adequate security measures to prevent malicious interference during the installation workflow.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the timing gap between directory creation and file access operations. When checkinstall or installwatch processes execute package installations, they typically create temporary working directories to stage files before final installation. During this window, attackers can create symbolic links that point to sensitive system files or directories, causing the installation utilities to write data to unintended locations. This type of flaw falls under CWE-367, which specifically addresses Time-of-Check to Time-of-Use (TOCTOU) vulnerabilities, where the state of a resource changes between verification and actual usage operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file overwrites to include potential privilege escalation and system integrity compromise. Local users who can manipulate the temporary directory structure gain the ability to modify critical system files, configuration data, or even executables that would normally require elevated privileges. Attackers can leverage this weakness to inject malicious code into the installation process, potentially leading to persistent backdoors or complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security model of package management systems, undermining the trust assumptions that operating system administrators rely upon during software installation.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including privilege escalation through modification of installed software and persistence mechanisms. The attack chain typically involves creating symbolic links in the temporary directory before the installation process begins, then executing the vulnerable installation utility to trigger the race condition. This approach allows attackers to bypass normal access controls and write to protected locations. Mitigation strategies include implementing proper directory permissions, using atomic file operations, and ensuring that temporary directories are created with appropriate security contexts. System administrators should also consider updating to patched versions of checkinstall and installwatch, implementing strict file system monitoring, and applying the principle of least privilege to reduce the potential impact of such vulnerabilities.