CVE-2008-7276 in OTRS
Summary
by MITRE
Kernel/System/Web/Request.pm in Open Ticket Request System (OTRS) before 2.3.2 creates a directory under /tmp/ with 1274 permissions, which might allow local users to bypass intended access restrictions via standard filesystem operations, related to incorrect interpretation of 0700 as a decimal value.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/19/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-7276 affects the Open Ticket Request System OTRS version 2.3.1 and earlier, representing a significant security flaw in the system's directory creation mechanism. This issue resides within the Kernel/System/Web/Request.pm component of the application, which handles web request processing and system operations. The vulnerability stems from a fundamental misunderstanding in how file permissions are interpreted and applied during directory creation processes. When the system creates temporary directories under the /tmp/ filesystem, it incorrectly processes the permission value 0700, treating it as a decimal number rather than an octal representation that is standard in Unix-like operating systems. This misinterpretation results in the creation of directories with permissions set to 1274 instead of the intended 0700, creating a dangerous security exposure that undermines the system's access control mechanisms.
The technical flaw manifests through the improper handling of octal permission values within the Perl-based web application. In Unix-like systems, file permissions are typically expressed in octal notation where 0700 represents read, write, and execute permissions for the owner only, while 1274 in decimal translates to a completely different permission structure that inadvertently grants broader access rights. This misconfiguration allows local users to manipulate the filesystem in ways that should have been restricted, as the directory created with 1274 permissions becomes accessible to other users on the system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it occurs in a web application's core system component, meaning that any local user with basic system access could potentially exploit this weakness to bypass intended access controls and gain unauthorized access to sensitive data or system resources. This flaw directly relates to CWE-276, which describes incorrect permission assignment, and represents a classic example of a permission handling vulnerability that can lead to privilege escalation and unauthorized system access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple permission misconfiguration, as it creates a persistent security risk that can be exploited by local attackers to compromise system integrity and confidentiality. Attackers with local access can leverage the improperly configured directory permissions to perform unauthorized file operations, potentially accessing sensitive data, modifying system files, or even escalating privileges to gain administrative control. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where multiple users share the same system, as it creates a pathway for privilege escalation that bypasses normal authentication and authorization mechanisms. From an attacker's perspective, this flaw represents a low-hanging fruit opportunity that requires minimal expertise to exploit, making it attractive for both casual attackers and more sophisticated threat actors. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves the exploitation of legitimate credentials and system access to gain elevated privileges, and T1078, which covers valid accounts and legitimate access to systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate system updates to OTRS version 2.3.2 or later, which contains the necessary patches to correct the permission handling mechanism. System administrators should also implement comprehensive monitoring of /tmp/ directory access patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts, as well as review and audit existing directory permissions to ensure they align with security best practices. The fix involves correcting the permission interpretation within the Kernel/System/Web/Request.pm file to properly handle octal values and ensure that directory creation operations maintain the intended 0700 permissions. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their web application environments to identify similar permission handling flaws that might exist in other components or third-party applications. Regular security updates and patch management processes become critical in preventing such vulnerabilities from being exploited, as this flaw demonstrates how seemingly minor code issues can create significant security exposures. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of proper code review practices and security testing, particularly for applications that handle system-level operations and file permissions, as such issues can have far-reaching consequences for overall system security.