CVE-2013-1423 in FusionForge
Summary
by MITRE
(1) contrib/gforge-3.0-cronjobs.patch, (2) cronjobs/homedirs.php, (3) deb-specific/fileforge.pl, (4) deb-specific/group_dump_update.pl, (5) deb-specific/ssh_dump_update.pl, (6) deb-specific/user_dump_update.pl, (7) plugins/scmbzr/common/BzrPlugin.class.php, (8) plugins/scmcvs/common/CVSPlugin.class.php, (9) plugins/scmcvs/cronjobs/cvs.php, (10) plugins/scmcvs/cronjobs/ssh_create.php, (11) plugins/scmgit/common/GitPlugin.class.php, (12) plugins/scmsvn/common/SVNPlugin.class.php, (13) plugins/wiki/cronjobs/create_groups.php, (14) utils/cvs1/cvscreate.sh, and (15) utils/include.pl in FusionForge 5.0, 5.1, and 5.2 allows local users to change arbitrary file permissions, obtain sensitive information, and have other unspecified impacts via a (1) symlink or (2) hard link attack on certain files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/30/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2013-1423 represents a critical security flaw within FusionForge version 5.0, 5.1, and 5.2 that stems from improper handling of symbolic links and hard links in various cron job and utility scripts. This issue affects multiple components including version control system plugins, user management utilities, and group creation scripts, creating a widespread attack surface that could be exploited by local users with minimal privileges. The vulnerability specifically targets the insecure processing of file operations during cron job execution, where the software fails to properly validate or sanitize file paths before performing permission modifications or data access operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate file permissions and access sensitive information through carefully crafted symbolic link or hard link attacks. When FusionForge executes its cron jobs, it processes various files in directories such as contrib/gforge-3.0-cronjobs.patch, cronjobs/homedirs.php, and multiple plugin directories without adequate safeguards against malicious file references. This flaw manifests when the system encounters a symbolic link pointing to a target file that the attacker controls, enabling them to modify permissions of arbitrary files on the system. The attack vector exploits the fundamental weakness in file system operations where the software does not properly resolve symbolic links or verify file ownership before performing operations that could alter system permissions or access restricted data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with multiple attack vectors that could lead to complete system compromise. Local users can leverage this vulnerability to modify critical system files, access sensitive user information, and potentially establish persistent access to the system. The widespread nature of the affected files means that an attacker could exploit this vulnerability across multiple components of the FusionForge platform, including version control systems, user management functions, and group creation utilities. This creates a scenario where a single vulnerability could allow an attacker to gain access to source code repositories, user credentials, and system configuration files, making it particularly dangerous for organizations using FusionForge for collaborative development environments.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-59 and CWE-367 categories, specifically addressing weaknesses in file system path resolution and improper handling of symbolic links that could lead to privilege escalation and information disclosure. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques such as privilege escalation through file permissions manipulation and credential access through information disclosure. The attack surface includes the various cron jobs and utility scripts that process user input or system files without proper validation, creating multiple opportunities for exploitation. Organizations using FusionForge should immediately implement mitigations including updating to patched versions, implementing proper file system permissions, and conducting security audits of cron job execution environments to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper file path validation and ensuring that all cron job execution environments properly handle symbolic links and hard links. System administrators should review and restrict permissions on the affected scripts and directories, while also implementing monitoring for unauthorized file permission changes. The recommended approach includes patching to the latest stable versions of FusionForge, implementing proper input validation for all file operations, and establishing robust file system integrity checks. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing principle of least privilege for cron job execution and regularly audit system file permissions to detect any unauthorized modifications that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure file system operations in collaborative development platforms where multiple users may have access to shared resources and system utilities.