CVE-2014-6311 in ace
Summary
by MITRE
generate_doygen.pl in ace before 6.2.7+dfsg-2 creates predictable file names in the /tmp directory which allows attackers to gain elevated privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/26/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-6311 affects the ace package version 6.2.7 and earlier, specifically within the generate_doygen.pl script that is part of the ace documentation generation system. This flaw represents a privilege escalation vulnerability that stems from predictable temporary file generation practices. The issue occurs when the script creates files in the /tmp directory using predictable naming conventions, which enables malicious users to exploit this weakness to gain elevated privileges on the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the generate_doygen.pl script creating temporary files with predictable names in the /tmp directory without proper randomization or secure temporary file creation mechanisms. This predictable naming pattern allows attackers to perform race condition attacks or file replacement attacks where they can create malicious files with the same names that the legitimate script would generate. The vulnerability directly relates to CWE-377 which addresses the use of insecure temporary files, and CWE-284 which deals with improper access control mechanisms. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can manipulate the execution flow of the ace documentation generation process to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it affects the integrity and security of the entire documentation generation framework. Systems running affected versions of ace may be vulnerable to unauthorized code execution, data manipulation, or privilege elevation attacks that could be leveraged by malicious actors to establish persistent access. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where ace is used for generating documentation from source code, as it could be exploited during automated build processes or continuous integration pipelines. This weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers local privilege escalation and T1059 which involves execution through command and scripting interpreters, making it a significant concern for security teams managing software development environments.
The recommended mitigations for CVE-2014-6311 include upgrading to ace version 6.2.7+dfsg-2 or later where the vulnerability has been patched. Security administrators should also implement proper temporary file handling practices such as using secure temporary file creation functions with unique names and appropriate permissions. Additionally, system administrators should ensure that the /tmp directory has proper permissions and that users cannot write to or manipulate files in this directory. The fix typically involves modifying the generate_doygen.pl script to use secure temporary file creation methods that prevent predictable naming patterns and reduce the attack surface for privilege escalation attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as mandatory access controls or file system monitoring to detect and prevent exploitation attempts.