CVE-2011-1830 in Ekiga
Summary
by MITRE
Ekiga versions before 3.3.0 attempted to load a module from /tmp/ekiga_test.so.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/06/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1830 represents a classic insecure temporary file handling issue that affected Ekiga versions prior to 3.3.0. This flaw stems from the application's improper management of temporary files during module loading processes, creating a significant security risk for users of the open source VoIP and video conferencing software. The vulnerability occurs when the application attempts to load a module from a predictable location in the /tmp directory, specifically /tmp/ekiga_test.so, which exposes the system to potential privilege escalation attacks.
This security weakness operates through a race condition and insecure temporary file creation mechanism that allows local attackers to exploit the application's trust in temporary file locations. The technical flaw falls under the category of insecure file handling and privilege escalation, with direct implications for the principle of least privilege and secure coding practices. When Ekiga attempts to load the module from /tmp/ekiga_test.so, it does not properly validate or secure the file path, enabling malicious users to place a specially crafted shared object file in that location before the legitimate application loads it. This behavior aligns with CWE-352, which addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery issues, and CWE-276, which covers insecure file permissions, though the specific implementation manifests more closely with CWE-362, concerning race conditions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially allow attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. Since Ekiga is a multimedia application that typically runs with user privileges but may require elevated permissions for certain operations, the ability to inject malicious code through the module loading mechanism creates a serious threat vector. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to systems, potentially leading to full system compromise. The attack scenario involves placing a malicious shared library in the /tmp directory, which then gets executed when Ekiga loads it, effectively providing a backdoor mechanism for persistent access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-1830 primarily focus on updating to the patched version of Ekiga 3.3.0 or later, which addresses the insecure temporary file handling by implementing proper file validation and secure temporary file creation practices. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security controls such as restricting write permissions to the /tmp directory, employing proper file access controls, and monitoring for unauthorized file creation in temporary directories. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding guidelines, particularly regarding temporary file handling, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers could use the privilege escalation to execute further malicious commands. Organizations should also implement regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning to identify similar insecure file handling patterns in other applications, as this type of vulnerability frequently appears in software that does not properly validate temporary file locations or implement secure temporary file creation mechanisms.