CVE-2013-0180 in Redis
Summary
by MITRE
Insecure temporary file vulnerability in Redis 2.6 related to /tmp/redis.ds.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/02/2019
The insecure temporary file vulnerability in Redis 2.6 represents a critical security flaw that stems from improper handling of temporary files during the database initialization process. This vulnerability specifically affects the /tmp/redis.ds temporary file which is created during Redis startup procedures. The flaw allows local attackers to exploit a race condition where they can manipulate or replace the temporary file before Redis processes it, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution with elevated privileges. The vulnerability exists because Redis does not properly validate or secure the temporary file creation process, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to intercept or modify the file contents.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a classic race condition scenario where Redis creates a temporary file in the /tmp directory without sufficient security measures to prevent unauthorized modification. When Redis starts up, it generates a temporary file named redis.ds in the /tmp directory to store configuration data or state information. The flaw occurs because the file creation process lacks proper permissions checking and atomic file operations. Attackers can exploit this by creating a symbolic link or replacing the temporary file with a maliciously crafted file before Redis processes it. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-362 category for race conditions and is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited by any local user with access to the system.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-0180 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially compromise the entire Redis instance and underlying system. When successfully exploited, attackers can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Redis process, which typically runs with elevated permissions. This could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or persistent backdoor access. The vulnerability affects systems where Redis is installed with default configurations, making it particularly widespread in production environments. Organizations using Redis for caching, session management, or database services face significant risk since the attack vector requires minimal privileges and can be automated. The impact is amplified when Redis is configured to run with root privileges or when multiple services depend on the compromised Redis instance.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of Redis installations to version 2.6.10 or later, which includes proper temporary file handling mechanisms. System administrators should also implement proper file permissions and ownership controls for the /tmp directory, ensuring that only authorized users can create or modify files within this location. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by running Redis processes with minimal required permissions rather than root access. Additional defensive measures include monitoring for unauthorized file creation in the /tmp directory, implementing file integrity monitoring solutions, and conducting regular security audits of Redis configurations. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit access to Redis instances and ensure that temporary files are created in secure, isolated directories rather than globally accessible locations like /tmp. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and script injection, as successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary code execution within the Redis process context.