CVE-2013-0261 in Folsom
Summary
by MITRE
A flaw was found in PackStack. A local user could exploit a symlink attack on a temporary file with a predictable name in the `/tmp` directory. This vulnerability allows the local user to overwrite arbitrary files on the system, potentially leading to system compromise or data corruption.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/05/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0261 affects PackStack, a deployment tool used for installing OpenStack cloud environments. This issue stems from insecure temporary file handling practices within the installer's codebase, specifically in two key files: installer/basedefs.py and modules/ospluginutils.py. The flaw enables local attackers to perform symlink attacks against temporary files created in the /tmp directory with predictable naming conventions, potentially leading to arbitrary file overwrite operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the predictable naming pattern of temporary files created during PackStack's execution process. When the installer creates temporary files in /tmp, it uses deterministic naming that can be anticipated by local users. Attackers can create symbolic links with these predictable names before the legitimate process creates the actual temporary files, effectively redirecting the file creation operations to arbitrary locations on the filesystem. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of insecure temporary file handling as defined by CWE-377, specifically CWE-378 which addresses the creation of temporary files with insecure permissions and predictable names.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for systems running PackStack installations, particularly in multi-user environments where local attackers might have limited access to the system. An attacker with local privileges could leverage this weakness to overwrite critical system files, configuration files, or even executable programs, potentially leading to privilege escalation or system compromise. The vulnerability essentially allows an attacker to manipulate the installation process by replacing legitimate temporary files with malicious counterparts, which could then be executed by the installer or other system processes that rely on these temporary resources.
This vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK framework techniques including T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter for executing malicious code through compromised installation processes, and T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation by leveraging local file overwrite capabilities. The attack vector specifically maps to T1548.001 Account Manipulation and T1552 Unsecured Credentials, as successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access through compromised system files. Organizations deploying PackStack should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader security posture assessment, particularly in environments where multiple users have local access to the systems being configured.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability include implementing proper temporary file creation practices using secure methods such as mkstemp or similar functions that create files with unpredictable names and proper permissions. The PackStack codebase should be updated to avoid predictable temporary file names and ensure that temporary files are created with appropriate access controls. Additionally, system administrators should review and restrict write permissions to the /tmp directory where possible, and implement monitoring for suspicious symlink creation activities. The fix should also include validating that temporary files are not symlinks before being used, as recommended by the CWE guidelines for preventing insecure temporary file handling. Organizations should also consider implementing automated scanning tools to detect similar patterns in other deployment tools and system utilities that might be vulnerable to the same class of attack.