CVE-2008-5376 in crip
Summary
by MITRE
editcomment in crip 3.7 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a /tmp/*.tag.tmp temporary file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-5376 resides within the crip 3.7 software suite, specifically affecting the editcomment functionality. This issue represents a classic race condition vulnerability that exploits insecure temporary file handling practices. The flaw occurs when the application creates temporary files in the /tmp directory using predictable naming patterns such as /tmp/*.tag.tmp, making it susceptible to symlink attacks by local users who can manipulate the filesystem before the application processes these temporary files.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper file creation procedures where the application does not validate or securely handle temporary file operations. When editcomment processes user input, it generates temporary files in a world-writable directory without implementing proper security measures such as creating files with unique, unpredictable names or using secure file creation primitives. This insecure approach allows malicious local users to establish symbolic links in the /tmp directory that point to sensitive system files, enabling them to overwrite critical files with arbitrary content during the temporary file processing phase.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file overwrites, as it provides local attackers with potential privilege escalation capabilities and system compromise opportunities. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to replace system binaries, configuration files, or critical system resources with malicious counterparts, potentially leading to complete system control. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires only local access and does not depend on network connectivity, making it difficult to detect and prevent through traditional network security measures. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-377: Insecure Temporary File and CWE-378: Use of Insecure Temporary Files, both of which are categorized under the broader category of insecure file handling practices that frequently appear in software security assessments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-5376 should focus on implementing secure temporary file creation practices and eliminating the race condition that enables the symlink attack. System administrators should immediately update to patched versions of crip 3.7 where available, or implement workarounds such as using secure temporary file creation functions that guarantee file exclusivity. The recommended approach involves creating temporary files with secure permissions, using unique and unpredictable naming schemes, and employing atomic file creation operations that prevent symlink attacks. Additionally, system hardening measures such as restricting write permissions to the /tmp directory for non-root users and implementing proper file system auditing can help reduce the attack surface. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adheres to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers can leverage such vulnerabilities to execute malicious code through compromised system files, and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, as local users can gain elevated privileges through file overwrites. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify similar insecure temporary file handling patterns in their software inventory and implement proper secure coding guidelines to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future development cycles.