CVE-2008-4941 in arb-common
Summary
by MITRE
arb-common 0.0.20071207.1 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on (a) /tmp/arb_fdnaml_*, (b) /tmp/arb_pids_*, (c) /tmp/arbdsmz.html, and (d) /tmp/arbdsmz.htm temporary files, related to the (1) arb_fastdnaml and (2) dszmconnect.pl scripts.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4941 affects the arb-common package version 0.0.20071207.1 and represents a classic symlink attack or race condition vulnerability that enables local privilege escalation through file overwrite operations. This issue stems from the improper handling of temporary files within the arb_fastdnaml and dszmconnect.pl scripts, which create temporary files in the /tmp directory without adequate security measures to prevent symbolic link manipulation by unauthorized users. The vulnerability specifically targets four temporary file locations including arb_fdnaml_ and arb_pids_ patterns along with arbdsmz.html and arbdsmz.htm files, all of which are susceptible to exploitation through symlink attacks. The underlying technical flaw manifests when these scripts generate temporary files with predictable names in world-writable directories, creating opportunities for malicious users to establish symbolic links that redirect the scripts to overwrite arbitrary files with malicious content. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-377: Insecure Temporary Files and CWE-378: Creation of Temporary Files With Insecure Permissions, both of which are categorized under the broader category of insecure file handling practices that are commonly exploited in privilege escalation scenarios. The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows local users to potentially overwrite critical system files or configuration files with malicious content, potentially leading to privilege escalation or system compromise. Attackers can exploit this weakness by creating symbolic links in the /tmp directory before the vulnerable scripts execute, causing the scripts to write data to locations controlled by the attacker rather than the intended temporary files. The attack vector aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for local privilege escalation, specifically targeting the exploitation of insecure file handling to gain elevated privileges. The vulnerability represents a fundamental security flaw in the software's design where temporary file creation does not implement proper atomic operations or secure file creation methods, making it susceptible to race conditions between the creation of symbolic links and the subsequent file operations performed by the vulnerable scripts. The risk is elevated in multi-user environments where local users can potentially establish symbolic links in the /tmp directory, which is typically world-writable and accessible to all users on the system. To mitigate this vulnerability, system administrators should immediately upgrade to patched versions of the arb-common package or implement workarounds such as ensuring proper file permissions, using secure temporary file creation methods, and avoiding predictable temporary file names. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and secure coding practices that prevent predictable temporary file creation can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other software components. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding guidelines such as those specified in the OWASP Secure Coding Practices and the CERT Secure Coding Standards, which emphasize the need for secure temporary file handling and proper file permission management to prevent such race condition attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect suspicious symbolic link creation patterns in temporary directories and ensure that all system components properly validate and sanitize temporary file operations to prevent unauthorized file overwrites.