CVE-2014-1859 in Numpy
Summary
by MITRE
(1) core/tests/test_memmap.py, (2) core/tests/test_multiarray.py, (3) f2py/f2py2e.py, and (4) lib/tests/test_io.py in NumPy before 1.8.1 allow local users to write to arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a temporary file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/20/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-1859 represents a critical path traversal and symlink attack flaw within the NumPy scientific computing library. This issue affects multiple test files and core components including test_memmap.py, test_multiarray.py, f2py2e.py, and test_io.py in versions prior to 1.8.1. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of temporary files during the execution of various NumPy operations, creating opportunities for local attackers to manipulate the file system through symbolic link manipulation.
The technical flaw manifests when NumPy creates temporary files during its testing processes or when processing Fortran code through the f2py utility. Attackers can exploit this by creating malicious symbolic links in directories where NumPy expects to create temporary files, thereby redirecting file operations to arbitrary locations on the system. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-367, which specifically addresses Time-of-Check to Time-of-Use (TOCTOU) race conditions, where the system checks for file permissions or existence and then performs operations that may be affected by changes made during the intervening time period. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows local privilege escalation and potential data manipulation in the context of the executing user.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file system manipulation, as it can be leveraged to overwrite critical system files, inject malicious code, or cause denial of service conditions. When NumPy is used in development environments, scientific computing workflows, or data processing pipelines, the attack surface expands significantly. The vulnerability affects both the library's testing infrastructure and its core functionality, meaning that any application using NumPy could be exposed to this attack vector. Security researchers have documented similar patterns in the ATT&CK framework under the technique of "T1059.001 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and "T1546.001 - Event Triggered Execution: Change in File Creation Time," which describe how attackers can manipulate file system operations to achieve unauthorized access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-1859 require immediate version updates to NumPy 1.8.1 or later, where the temporary file handling has been corrected to prevent symlink attacks. System administrators should also implement proper file system permissions and ensure that temporary directories used by NumPy have restricted write permissions for untrusted users. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing monitoring solutions that detect suspicious file creation patterns and symbolic link operations in system directories. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure temporary file handling practices and proper input validation in scientific computing libraries where file system interactions are frequent and complex.