CVE-2011-4202 in Restorepoint
Summary
by MITRE
The Tadasoft Restorepoint 3.2 evaluation image uses weak permissions (www write access) for unspecified scripts, which allows local users to gain privileges by modifying a script file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/13/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4202 resides within the Tadasoft Restorepoint 3.2 evaluation image, representing a critical privilege escalation flaw that stems from improper file system permissions. This issue manifests through the use of weak permissions that grant write access to web server directories, creating an exploitable condition where local users can modify script files to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability specifically affects the evaluation version of the software, indicating that the issue may not be present in production deployments but still represents a significant security concern for users who may be running the evaluation software in potentially hostile environments.
The technical flaw involves a fundamental misconfiguration in the software's permission model where web server directories are granted write access to unspecified scripts without proper access controls. This configuration creates a path for privilege escalation attacks by allowing local users to modify script files that may be executed with higher privileges than those of the standard user account. The weakness lies in the lack of proper access control mechanisms that should restrict write permissions to only authorized users or processes, thereby enabling attackers to modify critical components of the system. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which specifically addresses improper file permissions, and represents a classic example of insufficient privilege separation in software design.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for further system compromise. Local users who can modify script files gain the ability to execute malicious code with elevated privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or the installation of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it leverages the principle of least privilege violation, where unnecessary write permissions are granted to web server processes that should operate with minimal required access rights. Attackers can exploit this weakness to modify existing scripts or create new malicious scripts that will execute with the privileges of the web server process, which often runs with elevated system privileges.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must focus on implementing proper access control mechanisms and restricting file permissions to prevent unauthorized modifications. System administrators should immediately review and tighten file permissions for all web server directories, ensuring that only authorized users and processes have write access to critical script files. The recommended approach involves implementing the principle of least privilege by restricting write permissions to web server directories and ensuring that scripts are executed with minimal required privileges. Additionally, regular security audits should be conducted to identify and remediate similar permission misconfigurations in other software components. Organizations should also consider implementing file integrity monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized modifications to critical script files, providing an additional layer of protection against this class of vulnerability that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1074.001 for file system monitoring and detection.