CVE-2009-0313 in winetricks
Summary
by MITRE
winetricks before 20081223 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the x_showmenu.txt temporary file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/04/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-0313 affects winetricks version prior to 20081223, presenting a significant security risk through a symlink attack mechanism targeting temporary files. This flaw enables local attackers to manipulate the system by creating malicious symbolic links that can overwrite arbitrary files on the target system. The vulnerability specifically exploits the insecure handling of temporary files during the execution of winetricks, which is a utility designed to install various Windows components on Linux systems through Wine.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper temporary file handling practices within winetricks. When the utility executes commands that require temporary file creation, it generates a file named x_showmenu.txt without sufficient security measures to prevent symlink attacks. An attacker can create a symbolic link with the same name in the target directory, causing the application to write data to the attacker-controlled location instead of the intended temporary file. This type of attack falls under the category of insecure temporary file handling as defined by CWE-377, which specifically addresses the creation of insecure temporary files and directories that can be exploited by attackers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file overwriting, as it can potentially lead to privilege escalation or arbitrary code execution depending on the target system configuration. Since winetricks often runs with elevated privileges when installing Windows components, an attacker could leverage this vulnerability to overwrite critical system files or configuration data. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires only local access to the system, making it accessible to users who may not have administrative privileges but can still execute the vulnerable software. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers the exploitation of local privileges and the abuse of software vulnerabilities for privilege escalation.
The remediation for this vulnerability requires updating winetricks to version 20081223 or later, where the developers implemented proper temporary file handling mechanisms. Security best practices recommend using secure temporary file creation methods such as creating files with unique names or using proper file permissions that prevent symbolic link attacks. Additionally, system administrators should ensure that all software packages are kept up to date and that users have appropriate access controls to prevent unauthorized modifications to system components. Organizations should also implement monitoring for suspicious file creation patterns and maintain regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar insecure temporary file handling practices in other software components. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation when dealing with temporary file operations in any software system.