CVE-2012-5564 in android-tools
Summary
by MITRE
android-tools 4.1.1 in Android Debug Bridge (ADB) allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on /tmp/adb.log.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/19/2021
The vulnerability CVE-2012-5564 represents a critical security flaw in the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) component of Android operating systems, specifically affecting android-tools version 4.1.1. This issue stems from improper handling of temporary files during the ADB logging process, creating a path traversal vulnerability that can be exploited by local attackers. The vulnerability manifests when ADB creates log files in the /tmp directory without adequate security measures to prevent symbolic link attacks, allowing malicious users to manipulate the file system through carefully crafted symbolic links.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a symlink attack mechanism that leverages the predictable temporary file naming convention used by ADB. When ADB attempts to write logs to /tmp/adb.log, an attacker can create a symbolic link at this location pointing to a target file of their choosing. This allows the attacker to overwrite arbitrary files on the system with data controlled by the attacker, effectively bypassing normal file system permissions and access controls. The flaw resides in the lack of proper file validation and atomicity checks during temporary file creation, which is a common pattern seen in many privilege escalation vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-5564 is significant for Android devices, particularly those running vulnerable versions of the Android operating system. Local attackers with minimal privileges can leverage this vulnerability to overwrite critical system files, potentially leading to privilege escalation or system compromise. The vulnerability affects the integrity of the Android debugging infrastructure and can be exploited in scenarios where local users have access to the device but do not possess administrative privileges. This makes it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where device security is paramount, as it could allow unauthorized users to modify system configurations or inject malicious code into critical components.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-377: Insecure Temporary File and CWE-378: Creation of Temporary File With Insecure Permissions, both of which highlight the dangers of improper temporary file handling in security-sensitive applications. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell and T1548.002 - Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism: Bypass User Account Control, as it enables local privilege escalation through file system manipulation. The vulnerability also relates to T1068 - Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as it provides a mechanism for attackers to gain higher privileges than originally granted. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of android-tools, implementing proper file system permissions for temporary directories, and monitoring for unauthorized symbolic link creation in system temporary locations.