CVE-2010-1438 in Webapplication Finger Printer
Summary
by MITRE
Web Application Finger Printer (WAFP) 0.01-26c3 uses fixed pathnames under /tmp for temporary files and directories, which (1) allows local users to cause a denial of service (application outage) by creating a file with a pathname that the product expects is available for its own internal use, (2) allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via symlink attacks on certain files in /tmp, (3) might allow local users to delete arbitrary files and directories via a symlink attack on a directory under /tmp, and (4) might make it easier for local users to obtain sensitive information by reading files in a directory under /tmp, related to (a) lib/wafp_pidify.rb, (b) utils/generate_wafp_fingerprint.sh, (c) utils/online_update.sh, and (d) utils/extract_from_db.sh.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/22/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1438 affects the Web Application Finger Printer (WAFP) version 0.01-26c3, which employs fixed pathnames under the /tmp directory for managing temporary files and directories. This design flaw represents a critical security weakness that exposes the application to multiple attack vectors through improper handling of temporary file creation and management. The issue stems from the application's failure to implement secure temporary file handling practices, creating opportunities for malicious local users to exploit the system's predictable pathname usage.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through several interconnected attack pathways that leverage the predictable nature of fixed pathnames in the /tmp directory. Attackers can exploit this weakness by creating malicious symbolic links that point to sensitive system files or directories, effectively allowing them to overwrite arbitrary files through symlink attacks. This particular flaw aligns with CWE-377, which addresses insecure temporary file creation, and CWE-378, which covers the creation of temporary files with insecure permissions. The vulnerability specifically impacts the application's internal processing scripts including lib/wafp_pidify.rb, utils/generate_wafp_fingerprint.sh, utils/online_update.sh, and utils/extract_from_db.sh, each of which operates under the assumption that specific temporary pathnames will be available and accessible.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass more severe security implications including potential privilege escalation and information disclosure. Local users can cause application outages by creating malicious files that interfere with the application's expected temporary file usage patterns, resulting in service disruption. Additionally, the symlink attack capabilities enable attackers to delete arbitrary files and directories, potentially compromising system integrity and availability. The information disclosure aspect arises from the possibility of reading sensitive files within the temporary directory structure, which could expose system configuration details or user data. These impacts align with ATT&CK techniques such as T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage and T1566 for credential access through exploitation of system vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-1438 should focus on implementing secure temporary file handling practices that eliminate the predictability of pathname usage. The most effective approach involves replacing fixed pathnames with dynamically generated temporary file paths using secure functions such as mkstemp() or mkdtemp() that ensure proper file permissions and prevent symlink attacks. System administrators should also implement proper file permissions and access controls on the /tmp directory, ensuring that temporary files are created with restrictive permissions and that the application runs with minimal necessary privileges. Additionally, the application should validate the existence and integrity of temporary files before using them, and implement proper cleanup procedures to remove temporary files after use. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring and alerting mechanisms to detect suspicious activity related to temporary file creation and modification, as outlined in security best practices for secure coding and system administration.