CVE-2013-1444 in txt2man
Summary
by MITRE
A certain Debian patch for txt2man 1.5.5, as used in txt2man 1.5.5-2, 1.5.5-4, and others, allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on /tmp/2222.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-1444 affects txt2man version 1.5.5 and its subsequent patches including versions 1.5.5-2 and 1.5.5-4 within Debian distributions. This issue represents a classic race condition vulnerability that arises from improper handling of temporary files during the execution of the txt2man utility. The flaw occurs when the application creates temporary files in the /tmp directory without sufficient security measures to prevent malicious users from manipulating the file system during the creation process. The vulnerability specifically manifests when txt2man generates temporary files with predictable names such as /tmp/2222, making it susceptible to symlink-based attacks that can be exploited by local users with minimal privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate or secure temporary file creation processes. When txt2man executes and attempts to create temporary files in the /tmp directory, it does not verify that the target location is a secure and expected file system location. Attackers can exploit this by creating symbolic links in the /tmp directory that point to sensitive system files or configuration files before the txt2man utility creates its own temporary file. This type of attack pattern aligns with the common weakness described in CWE-367, which addresses time-of-check to time-of-use race conditions where an attacker manipulates the state of a resource between the time it is checked and when it is used. The vulnerability essentially allows an attacker to escalate privileges or manipulate system files by overwriting files with malicious content during the temporary file creation phase.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-1444 extends beyond simple file overwriting capabilities, as it represents a privilege escalation vector that can be leveraged by local attackers to gain elevated system access. While the initial exploitation requires local system access, the potential consequences include the ability to overwrite critical system files, configuration data, or even binary executables that could lead to persistent access or system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where multiple users share the same system or where txt2man is used in automated processes that might run with elevated privileges. From an attacker's perspective, this represents a low-effort, high-impact method for gaining unauthorized access to system resources, as the symlink attack can be executed without requiring complex exploitation techniques or elevated privileges beyond basic user access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability focus on addressing the core race condition issue through proper temporary file handling practices and system hardening measures. System administrators should immediately apply available security patches and updates to txt2man packages to resolve the vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper file system permissions and using secure temporary file creation methods such as mktemp with appropriate directory permissions can prevent exploitation. The use of secure temporary file creation functions that avoid predictable naming schemes and ensure atomic file creation processes helps eliminate the window of opportunity for symlink attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing the principle of least privilege for system users and monitoring for suspicious file system activities in temporary directories. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adheres to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through command-line interfaces, where local users can leverage such vulnerabilities to execute malicious code through compromised system utilities. The remediation process should also include regular security audits of system utilities and temporary file handling mechanisms to identify and address similar race condition vulnerabilities across the system infrastructure.