CVE-2015-0296 in texlive
Summary
by MITRE
The pre-install script in texlive 3.1.20140525_r34255.fc21 as packaged in Fedora 21 and rpm, and texlive 6.20131226_r32488.fc20 and rpm allows local users to delete arbitrary files via a crafted file in the user's home directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0296 resides within the pre-install script of texlive packages version 3.1.20140525_r34255.fc21 in Fedora 21 and rpm packages, as well as texlive 6.20131226_r32488.fc20 in Fedora 20. This issue represents a critical local privilege escalation vulnerability that allows malicious users to delete arbitrary files on the system. The flaw manifests specifically during the package installation process when the pre-install script executes with elevated privileges, creating a dangerous condition where user-controlled input can be exploited to manipulate system file operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the pre-install script of the texlive package management system. When users attempt to install or update texlive packages, the pre-install script processes files located in the user's home directory without proper verification of file paths or contents. This lack of proper validation creates a path traversal and arbitrary file deletion scenario where a malicious user can craft a specially formatted file in their home directory that, when processed by the vulnerable pre-install script, results in the deletion of any file accessible to the installation process. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-22 as a Path Traversal attack, where the system fails to properly validate file paths before processing them.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-0296 extends beyond simple file deletion capabilities, representing a significant threat to system integrity and availability. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to remove critical system files, configuration files, or even user data, potentially leading to complete system compromise or denial of service conditions. The vulnerability affects systems where texlive packages are installed, making it particularly concerning for development environments, servers running LaTeX document processing, and systems where package management is frequently performed. The attack vector requires local user access but provides elevated privileges during package installation, making it a particularly dangerous weakness in system security architecture.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-0296 should focus on immediate package updates from Fedora repositories where patches have been released to address the vulnerable pre-install script. System administrators should prioritize updating texlive packages to versions that properly sanitize file paths and implement proper input validation before processing user-controlled files. The remediation process should include thorough auditing of installed texlive packages and verification of updated versions that have been patched against this specific vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper file system permissions and access controls can help limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities, while following ATT&CK framework guidance for privilege escalation mitigation can provide comprehensive protection against similar attack patterns. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely application of security updates across all systems.