CVE-2008-5368 in muttprint
Summary
by MITRE
muttprint in muttprint 0.72d allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the /tmp/muttprint.log temporary file.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/31/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5368 affects muttprint version 0.72d, a command-line utility designed to print email messages from the mutt email client. This issue represents a classic race condition and insecure temporary file handling flaw that enables local attackers to manipulate the system's file permissions and overwrite arbitrary files through symbolic link attacks. The vulnerability stems from the application's improper handling of temporary files during its execution lifecycle, specifically when creating and managing the /tmp/muttprint.log file.
The technical flaw manifests when muttprint creates a temporary log file in the /tmp directory without adequate security measures to prevent symbolic link attacks. During normal operation, the application generates a temporary file named muttprint.log in the /tmp directory to record its processing activities. Local attackers can exploit this by creating a symbolic link with the same name in the /tmp directory before muttprint executes, causing the application to write its log data to the attacker-controlled target file instead of the intended temporary location. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-362, which specifically addresses race conditions that can lead to insecure temporary file creation, and CWE-367, which covers the execution of code due to improper file permissions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file overwriting, as it can potentially enable attackers to escalate privileges or compromise system integrity. When an attacker successfully manipulates the temporary file, they can overwrite any file that the muttprint process has write permissions to, potentially including system configuration files, user data, or even files with elevated privileges. This attack vector is particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where the muttprint utility might be executed with higher privileges or where users have the ability to create symbolic links in shared temporary directories. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for executing malicious code through command-line interfaces, and T1548.001 for privilege escalation through insecure file permissions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve both immediate patching and system hardening measures. The most effective solution is to update to a patched version of muttprint that properly handles temporary file creation using secure methods such as creating temporary files with exclusive access permissions or using secure temporary directory locations. System administrators should also implement proper file permission controls on the /tmp directory, ensuring that it is not writable by untrusted users and that the sticky bit is set to prevent unauthorized file removal. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and secure coding practices in the application code can prevent similar vulnerabilities in other software components. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding guidelines and adhering to standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Secure Coding Practices and the CERT Secure Coding Standards to prevent such race condition exploits.