CVE-2015-7442 in Installation Manager
Summary
by MITRE
consoleinst.sh in IBM Installation Manager before 1.7.4.4 and 1.8.x before 1.8.4 and Packaging Utility before 1.7.4.4 and 1.8.x before 1.8.4 allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse program that is located in /tmp with a name based on a predicted PID value.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-7442 affects IBM Installation Manager and Packaging Utility software versions prior to specific patch levels, presenting a significant local privilege escalation risk through a carefully crafted Trojan horse attack vector. This flaw exploits the predictable naming convention of temporary files created during the installation process, specifically targeting the consoleinst.sh script which handles console installation operations. The vulnerability operates under the principle of temporary file creation race conditions where malicious actors can pre-position malicious executables in the /tmp directory with names that match predicted process identifiers, thereby gaining elevated privileges when the legitimate installation script executes with root privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the insecure handling of temporary file creation in the installation utility's consoleinst.sh script. When IBM Installation Manager executes console installation operations, it creates temporary files in the /tmp directory using predictable naming patterns based on process identification values. Attackers can exploit this predictability by creating malicious programs with specific names that match the expected temporary file names, knowing that these files will be executed with elevated privileges when the installation script runs. This represents a classic race condition vulnerability where the window between file creation and execution allows for malicious interference, falling under CWE-362 which specifically addresses concurrent execution issues and privilege escalation through file system manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected system, potentially enabling them to modify system configurations, install backdoors, or escalate their access to other system resources. Local users who can execute the installation utility can leverage this flaw to gain root access, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where users might have legitimate access to installation utilities but should not possess administrative privileges. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates silently without requiring network access or specific system misconfigurations, relying solely on predictable file naming patterns and the inherent trust placed in installation utilities.
Security practitioners should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, beginning with immediate patching of affected IBM Installation Manager and Packaging Utility versions to the recommended secure releases. System administrators should also consider implementing temporary file system hardening measures, including restricting write permissions to the /tmp directory for non-root users and monitoring for unauthorized file creation in critical system directories. The mitigation strategy should align with ATT&CK framework techniques related to privilege escalation and defense evasion, particularly focusing on preventing the execution of malicious code through predictable file paths and temporary file manipulation. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar race condition vulnerabilities in other system components and ensure that all software installations follow secure coding practices that avoid predictable temporary file naming conventions.