CVE-2015-0849 in pycode-browser
Summary
by MITRE • 06/27/2025
pycode-browser before version 1.0 is prone to a predictable temporary file vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/02/2025
The pycode-browser tool prior to version 1.0 contains a critical vulnerability related to predictable temporary file generation that creates significant security risks for systems utilizing this code browsing utility. This vulnerability stems from the application's improper handling of temporary file creation processes, where the tool generates temporary files with predictable names and locations that can be exploited by malicious actors. The flaw exists in the software's design and implementation of temporary file management, creating opportunities for privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution attacks. According to the common weakness enumeration framework, this vulnerability maps directly to CWE-377, which addresses insecure temporary file handling practices that can lead to various security compromises. The issue manifests when the application creates temporary files without sufficient randomization or proper security controls, allowing attackers to anticipate and manipulate these temporary file paths.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's failure to utilize secure temporary file creation methods when processing code files for browsing purposes. When pycode-browser generates temporary files during code analysis or processing operations, it employs predictable naming conventions that do not incorporate sufficient entropy or randomization elements. This predictable behavior enables attackers to create symbolic links or pre-position files in the expected temporary locations before the application processes them, effectively allowing for privilege escalation attacks when the application executes with elevated permissions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the file system level and can be exploited without requiring user interaction or specific authentication credentials. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the pycode-browser process, potentially compromising the entire system or gaining access to sensitive information processed by the tool.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents substantial risks to organizations that deploy pycode-browser for code analysis, development environments, or security auditing purposes. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation to include potential data exposure, system compromise, and unauthorized access to source code repositories or development environments. Systems running vulnerable versions of pycode-browser become attractive targets for attackers seeking to establish persistent access or escalate privileges within development environments where such tools are commonly deployed. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in multi-user environments or shared development systems where multiple users may be running the application with varying permission levels, as it could enable attackers to exploit the predictable temporary file behavior to gain elevated privileges. This risk is amplified by the fact that many development environments lack proper security monitoring for such file system operations, making exploitation difficult to detect.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through version updates to pycode-browser 1.0 or later, which addresses the predictable temporary file handling issues. Organizations should implement proper temporary file creation practices that incorporate sufficient entropy and randomization, ensuring that temporary files are created with unpredictable names and locations. The recommended approach involves using secure temporary file creation APIs and methods that automatically handle proper file permissions and secure naming conventions. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing file system monitoring and access controls to detect and prevent unauthorized temporary file creation or manipulation attempts. According to the attack technique framework, this vulnerability could be categorized under T1059.007 for execution through scripting languages and T1548.001 for privilege escalation techniques. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other applications or systems that may be similarly affected by predictable temporary file handling behaviors, ensuring that their security posture remains robust against such fundamental implementation flaws. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper temporary file management in preventing privilege escalation attacks.