CVE-2013-0159 in fedora-business-cards
Summary
by MITRE
The fedora-business-cards package before 1-0.1.beta1.fc17 on Fedora 17 and before 1-0.1.beta1.fc18 on Fedora 18 allows local users to cause a denial of service or write to arbitrary files via a symlink attack on /tmp/fedora-business-cards-buffer.svg.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/01/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0159 affects the fedora-business-cards package in specific Fedora versions, representing a classic symlink attack scenario that demonstrates poor temporary file handling practices. This issue resides in the package management and file system interaction components of the Fedora 17 and 18 operating systems, where the software fails to properly validate file paths during temporary file creation processes. The vulnerability specifically targets the /tmp/fedora-business-cards-buffer.svg file location, which serves as a temporary storage point for business card data processing operations. The flaw stems from the package's inability to distinguish between legitimate temporary files and malicious symbolic links that attackers can create in the /tmp directory, creating a path traversal and privilege escalation opportunity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the predictable naming convention and insecure temporary file creation methods used by the fedora-business-cards package. When the application executes and attempts to write to the designated temporary file path, it does not perform proper validation to ensure that the target location is indeed a legitimate file and not a symbolic link pointing to a different location. This insecure direct object reference pattern directly maps to CWE-367, which addresses the issue of time-of-check to time-of-use vulnerabilities, where the system checks file permissions or existence at one point but then uses the file at a later point when the file could have been changed by an attacker. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to manipulate the application's temporary file handling mechanism to write data to arbitrary locations on the file system, potentially overwriting critical system files or configuration data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it provides attackers with the capability to write arbitrary files to locations where they might not normally have write permissions. Local users can leverage this weakness to escalate their privileges or corrupt system files, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges and can be executed through standard user accounts, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to establish persistent access or disrupt system operations. The vulnerability's exploitation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, specifically focusing on command and scripting interpreter usage, where attackers can manipulate temporary files to execute malicious code or modify system configurations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-0159 should focus on implementing proper temporary file handling practices that address the root cause of the vulnerability. System administrators should immediately upgrade to the patched versions of the fedora-business-cards package, specifically versions 1-0.1.beta1.fc17 and 1-0.1.beta1.fc18 or later, which incorporate secure temporary file creation methods. The recommended approach involves using secure file creation functions that check for symbolic links and ensure proper file ownership and permissions before writing to temporary locations. Additionally, implementing proper file system permissions and using secure temporary directory locations with appropriate access controls can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect suspicious temporary file creation patterns and ensure that all system components properly validate file paths before processing operations. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in preventing privilege escalation attacks.