CVE-2008-4980 in rccp
Summary
by MITRE
delqueueask in rccp 0.9 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the /tmp/cccp_tmp.txt temporary file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/14/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4980 resides within the rccp 0.9 software suite, specifically within the delqueueask function that handles queue management operations. This flaw represents a classic race condition vulnerability that exploits the insecure handling of temporary files during process execution. The issue manifests when the software creates temporary files in the /tmp directory without proper security measures, leaving the system susceptible to malicious file overwrite attacks through symbolic link manipulation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a time-of-check to time-of-use race condition pattern where an attacker can create a symbolic link pointing to a target file in the filesystem. When the delqueueask function in rccp 0.9 processes the temporary file /tmp/cccp_tmp.txt, it first checks for the file's existence and then performs operations on it. During this window between the check and the actual use, a malicious user can replace the legitimate temporary file with a symbolic link pointing to a sensitive system file, allowing arbitrary file overwrite operations with the privileges of the process executing the vulnerable code.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-367, which describes the Time-of-Check to Time-of-Use (TOCTOU) race condition, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through command and scripting interpreter. The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables local privilege escalation and arbitrary file modification attacks. An attacker with local access can potentially overwrite critical system files, configuration files, or even system binaries, leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the system, as unauthorized modifications can occur without detection.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-4980 should focus on eliminating the race condition through proper temporary file handling mechanisms. System administrators should implement secure temporary file creation using functions that guarantee atomicity and uniqueness, such as mkstemp() instead of relying on predictable temporary file names. Additionally, the software should be updated to versions that properly implement secure file handling practices, ensuring that temporary files are created with appropriate permissions and are not accessible to unauthorized users. The principle of least privilege should be enforced, limiting the permissions of the rccp process and implementing proper file system access controls to prevent symbolic link attacks on temporary file locations.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper temporary file management in software development and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing including race condition detection. The flaw represents a fundamental security misconfiguration that could have been prevented through adherence to secure coding practices and proper input validation. Organizations should implement regular security audits of their software systems to identify similar race condition vulnerabilities that could lead to similar exploitation vectors and ensure that all temporary file operations follow established security guidelines and best practices for preventing unauthorized access and modification.