CVE-2011-1408 in Ikiwiki
Summary
by MITRE
ikiwiki before 3.20110608 allows remote attackers to hijack root's tty and run symlink attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/30/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1408 affects ikiwiki versions prior to 3.20110608 and represents a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to root's terminal session and execute symlink attacks. This vulnerability operates through a privilege escalation mechanism that leverages improper handling of symbolic links within the ikiwiki application's file management processes. The flaw exists in the application's inability to properly validate or sanitize symbolic link references during file operations, creating an attack surface that can be exploited by malicious actors to escalate privileges and gain root-level access to systems running vulnerable versions of ikiwiki.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and insufficient access control mechanisms within ikiwiki's file handling subsystem. When ikiwiki processes user-generated content or file operations, it fails to properly verify the integrity of symbolic links, allowing attackers to manipulate file paths through symlink manipulation. This weakness can be exploited to redirect file operations to unintended locations, potentially enabling attackers to overwrite critical system files or execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges. The vulnerability specifically targets the root user's terminal session, suggesting that the attack vector involves session hijacking or terminal manipulation techniques that leverage the symbolic link manipulation capabilities.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to system integrity and security posture, particularly in environments where ikiwiki is used for collaborative documentation or wiki management. The ability to hijack root's tty provides attackers with direct access to the highest privilege level available on the system, enabling them to bypass standard security controls and potentially compromise the entire infrastructure. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access, escalate privileges beyond normal user limitations, and potentially deploy additional malicious payloads or backdoors. The impact extends beyond immediate privilege escalation to include potential data exfiltration, system compromise, and disruption of legitimate services that depend on ikiwiki functionality.
The vulnerability aligns with several cybersecurity frameworks and classifications including CWE-59, which addresses improper link resolution, and relates to ATT&CK techniques such as privilege escalation through exploitation of software vulnerabilities. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including upgrading to ikiwiki version 3.20110608 or later, implementing proper access controls, and monitoring for suspicious symlink activities. Additionally, system administrators should conduct thorough security assessments of all systems running vulnerable versions, implement network segmentation to limit potential attack vectors, and establish robust monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized access attempts. The remediation process should also include reviewing and strengthening file system permissions, implementing proper input validation mechanisms, and ensuring that all software components undergo regular security updates and vulnerability assessments to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.