CVE-2008-3216 in projectl
Summary
by MITRE
The save function in br/prefmanager.d in projectl 1.001 creates a projectL.prf file in the current working directory, which allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/29/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3216 resides within the projectl 1.001 software suite, specifically affecting the br/prefmanager.d component. This flaw manifests through the save function implementation that creates a projectL.prf file in the current working directory without proper validation or security checks. The vulnerability represents a classic symlink attack vector that exploits the predictable file creation behavior of the application. When a local user executes the vulnerable software in a directory where they have write permissions, the application will create the projectL.prf file at the specified location, potentially allowing malicious users to manipulate the file system through symbolic link manipulation techniques.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and file system access controls within the preference management functionality. The save function does not verify whether the target location contains symbolic links or whether the file creation operation might result in unintended file overwrites. This behavior directly maps to CWE-59, which describes improper link resolution without limit checks, and CWE-36, which addresses absolute path traversal. The vulnerability operates under the principle that the application assumes it is creating a file in a safe location without considering that the current working directory might be manipulated by an attacker. This flaw falls under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers can exploit this vulnerability to manipulate file system behavior through symbolic link manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file overwrites, as it provides local attackers with a mechanism to potentially compromise system integrity and confidentiality. An attacker could create symbolic links in directories where the vulnerable application runs, then trigger the save function to overwrite critical system files, configuration files, or even files owned by other users. This type of attack could lead to privilege escalation scenarios where attackers gain unauthorized access to system resources or manipulate application behavior through the overwritten preference files. The vulnerability affects all local users who have access to the application's execution environment, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user systems where privilege separation is expected. The exploit requires minimal privileges and can be executed by any user who can run the vulnerable application, making it a significant concern for system administrators.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-3216 should focus on implementing proper file system validation and access controls within the application's preference management module. The most effective approach involves modifying the save function to use absolute paths instead of relative paths and implementing checks to verify that target locations do not contain symbolic links before file creation operations. Security measures should include validating that the working directory is not writable by untrusted users and ensuring that all file creation operations occur in secure, isolated directories. Additionally, the application should implement proper file permissions and ownership checks to prevent unauthorized file overwrites. System administrators should consider implementing monitoring and alerting mechanisms to detect suspicious file creation patterns, particularly when applications create files in user-controlled directories. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing proper input validation as outlined in the OWASP Secure Coding Practices and the SANS Top 25 Most Dangerous Programming Errors, which recommend avoiding predictable file creation patterns and implementing proper path validation to prevent symbolic link attacks.