CVE-2008-5157 in tau
Summary
by MITRE
tau 2.16.4 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a (1) /tmp/makefile.tau.*.##### or (2) /tmp/makefile.tau*.##### temporary file, related to the (a) tau_cxx, (b) tau_f90, and (c) tau_cc scripts.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/14/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5157 affects tau version 2.16.4, a performance analysis tool widely used in high-performance computing environments. This issue represents a classic symlink attack scenario that exploits insecure temporary file handling in the tool's compilation scripts. The vulnerability specifically targets three executable scripts - tau_cxx, tau_f90, and tau_cc - which are responsible for managing temporary files during the compilation process. These scripts create temporary files in the /tmp directory with predictable naming patterns, making them susceptible to exploitation by local attackers who can establish symbolic links before the scripts attempt to write to these locations.
The technical flaw stems from the insecure creation of temporary files without proper atomic operations or validation of file existence. When the tau compilation scripts execute, they generate temporary files with names following the patterns makefile.tau..##### or makefile.tau.##### where the hash symbols represent random numbers. This predictable naming convention combined with the lack of proper file creation checks allows attackers to create symbolic links in the /tmp directory that point to critical system files or files owned by other users. When the scripts subsequently attempt to write data to these locations, the data is actually written to the targeted files through the symbolic link, potentially enabling privilege escalation or arbitrary file overwrite attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file overwrite capabilities, as it provides local attackers with potential paths to escalate privileges within the system. Since the scripts are likely executed with elevated privileges during the compilation process, an attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could overwrite system configuration files, binaries, or other critical components. This weakness aligns with CWE-377, which addresses insecure temporary file creation, and represents a significant concern in environments where multiple users share the same system. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal privileges to execute and can be performed by any local user who has access to the system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-5157 should focus on implementing proper temporary file handling practices that align with security best practices and industry standards. Organizations should immediately upgrade to patched versions of tau that address this vulnerability, as the original version 2.16.4 is no longer supported. System administrators should also implement proper file permissions and access controls on the /tmp directory, ensuring that temporary files are created with appropriate umask settings and that symbolic link creation is restricted. The implementation of atomic file creation operations, such as using open() with O_CREAT and O_EXCL flags, would prevent the race condition that enables this attack. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious symbolic link creation patterns in temporary directories, and the ATT&CK framework's T1059.007 technique for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" should be considered in threat hunting activities, as similar vulnerabilities often manifest through scripting attacks. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments to identify other potentially vulnerable applications that may exhibit similar insecure temporary file handling patterns.