CVE-2008-4970 in Lustre-tests
Summary
by MITRE
runiozone in lustre 1.6.5 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the /tmp/iozone.log temporary file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/14/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4970 affects the runiozone component within the lustre 1.6.5 file system implementation, presenting a significant local privilege escalation risk through symlink attack mechanisms. This flaw exists in the temporary file handling process where the system creates a symbolic link to /tmp/iozone.log without proper validation of the target file's existence or ownership. The issue stems from insufficient input sanitization and inadequate file system access controls during the temporary file creation phase, allowing malicious local users to manipulate the file system state and potentially overwrite critical system files or gain elevated privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-377, which addresses insecure temporary file creation practices, and CWE-378, covering the creation of temporary files with insecure permissions. The flaw operates by exploiting the predictable naming convention of temporary files and the lack of proper atomic file creation mechanisms. When runiozone executes, it attempts to create or write to /tmp/iozone.log without verifying whether the target path is a symbolic link, enabling an attacker to establish a malicious symlink before the legitimate process attempts to access the file. This creates a race condition scenario where the attacker controls the target file that the legitimate process will overwrite, potentially allowing for arbitrary file modification or execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file overwriting capabilities, as it can be leveraged to escalate privileges within the system. Attackers can exploit this weakness to modify system configuration files, replace executable binaries, or manipulate log files to hide their activities, making it a critical concern for system administrators. The vulnerability affects systems running lustre 1.6.5 implementations where local users have the ability to create symbolic links, which is typically a standard capability in most Unix-like operating systems. This weakness particularly impacts enterprise environments where lustre file systems are deployed, as it provides a pathway for unauthorized modification of system resources that could compromise data integrity and system security.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-4970 should focus on implementing proper temporary file handling mechanisms that prevent symbolic link attacks. System administrators should ensure that temporary files are created using atomic operations that verify file existence and permissions before proceeding with file operations. The implementation of secure temporary file creation practices, such as using the mkstemp() function instead of mktemp() or creating temporary files with restrictive permissions and proper ownership validation, can prevent this class of vulnerabilities. Additionally, the system should be configured to disable the creation of symbolic links in temporary directories or implement mandatory access controls that prevent unauthorized file system manipulation. Organizations should also consider implementing the principle of least privilege, ensuring that local users have minimal necessary access rights and that the lustre implementation runs with appropriate privilege levels to minimize potential exploitation impact. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper file system access controls in preventing local privilege escalation attacks, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers local privilege escalation through improper file permissions and symbolic link manipulation.