CVE-2011-4834 in Application Lifestyle Management
Summary
by MITRE
The GetInstalledPackages function in the configuration tool in HP Application Lifestyle Management (ALM) 11 on AIX, HP-UX, and Solaris allows local users to gain privileges via (1) a Trojan horse /tmp/tmp.txt FIFO or (2) a symlink attack on /tmp/tmp.txt.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/31/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4834 resides within the GetInstalledPackages function of HP Application Lifestyle Management version 11, specifically affecting Unix-based systems including AIX, HP-UX, and Solaris operating environments. This flaw represents a privilege escalation vulnerability that exploits insecure temporary file handling practices within the configuration tool's implementation. The vulnerability manifests when the application creates or accesses temporary files in the /tmp directory without proper security controls, creating opportunities for local attackers to manipulate the system's privilege structure through carefully crafted file system manipulations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through two primary attack vectors that leverage the insecure use of temporary files in the system. The first vector involves the creation of a Trojan horse FIFO (named pipe) file at /tmp/tmp.txt, which when accessed by the vulnerable application, can execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The second vector employs a symbolic link attack where an attacker creates a symbolic link pointing to a sensitive system file, but the vulnerable application writes to /tmp/tmp.txt without validating the target file's nature. Both attack methods exploit the fundamental flaw in the application's temporary file handling process, where it fails to properly validate or secure temporary file operations. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-377 as "Insecure Temporary File" and represents a classic example of a race condition vulnerability where the application's behavior changes based on timing and file system state.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with potential access to system resources and sensitive information that should remain protected. Local users who exploit this vulnerability can effectively elevate their privileges to the level of the application process, which typically runs with elevated system permissions. This access can enable further attacks including system compromise, data exfiltration, or the establishment of persistent access mechanisms. The vulnerability affects organizations using HP ALM 11 in enterprise environments where system integrity and access control are critical, particularly in regulated industries where unauthorized privilege escalation can lead to compliance violations and security breaches.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper temporary file handling practices that align with industry standards and best practices. Organizations should ensure that temporary files are created with appropriate permissions and are not accessible to unauthorized users, implementing techniques such as creating temporary files with unique names and proper file permissions. The solution involves modifying the application's temporary file creation process to use secure methods including the use of mkstemp() or similar functions that guarantee file uniqueness and proper access controls. Additionally, system administrators should implement file system monitoring and access controls to detect and prevent unauthorized symbolic link creation in temporary directories. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following the principle of least privilege and proper input validation as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework categories related to privilege escalation and insecure temporary file handling.