CVE-2012-2179 in AIX
Summary
by MITRE
libodm.a in IBM AIX 5.3, 6.1, and 7.1 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a temporary file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2179 resides within the libodm.a library component of IBM AIX operating systems across versions 5.3, 6.1, and 7.1. This issue represents a classic race condition vulnerability that enables local attackers to exploit insecure temporary file handling mechanisms. The flaw specifically manifests when the library creates temporary files without proper security measures, making it susceptible to symbolic link attacks that can result in arbitrary file overwrite operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper file creation practices within the libodm.a library. When the library generates temporary files, it does not adequately validate or secure the temporary file paths, allowing malicious users to establish symbolic links with the same names as expected temporary files. This creates a window where an attacker can manipulate the system to overwrite files of their choice, potentially including system-critical binaries or configuration files, with malicious content. The vulnerability operates at the file system level and requires local access to exploit, making it a local privilege escalation vector that can be particularly dangerous in multi-user environments.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant security risks to IBM AIX systems as it allows local users to gain unauthorized control over file system operations. Attackers can leverage this weakness to overwrite system binaries, configuration files, or other critical data, potentially leading to system compromise, data corruption, or privilege escalation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it does not require special privileges beyond local access, making it accessible to any user with legitimate system access. This characteristic places the risk squarely within the realm of insider threats or compromised accounts, where an attacker with minimal privileges can cause substantial damage to system integrity and availability.
The security implications extend beyond simple file overwrites, as this vulnerability can be chained with other exploitation techniques to achieve more sophisticated attacks. According to the CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) catalog, this vulnerability maps to CWE-377: Insecure Temporary File, which is classified as a weakness that allows attackers to create or modify temporary files in insecure ways. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' tactic. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including patching affected systems, implementing proper file permissions, and monitoring for suspicious file creation patterns. The recommended remediation approach involves applying IBM's official security patches, configuring secure temporary file handling practices, and conducting thorough system audits to identify and remove any existing symbolic link attacks that may have been initiated prior to patching.