CVE-2016-10538 in node-cli
Summary
by MITRE
The package `node-cli` before 1.0.0 insecurely uses the lock_file and log_file. Both of these are temporary, but it allows the starting user to overwrite any file they have access to.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10538 affects the node-cli package version 1.0.0 and earlier, presenting a significant security risk through improper handling of temporary files during execution. This flaw stems from the package's insecure usage of lock_file and log_file parameters, which are designed to be temporary but are created with predictable paths and insufficient access controls. The vulnerability allows any user who can initiate the package execution to overwrite arbitrary files within the system, as the temporary files are created with insufficient permission checks and predictable naming conventions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the package creating temporary files in standard system locations without proper file permission validation or atomic file creation mechanisms. When the node-cli package executes, it generates lock_file and log_file in locations where the executing user has write permissions, but these files are not properly secured against race conditions or unauthorized overwrites. This behavior directly violates secure coding principles and creates a path for privilege escalation or data corruption attacks. The vulnerability can be exploited through a simple file overwrite attack where an attacker creates a symbolic link or hard link to a target file with the same name as the temporary file, causing the package to write to the unintended location.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file overwrite scenarios and represents a serious threat to system integrity and availability. An attacker with access to execute the node-cli package can potentially overwrite critical system files, configuration files, or even user data files, leading to system instability, data loss, or complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in multi-user environments where different users might have varying levels of access to system resources, as it allows lower-privileged users to potentially overwrite files belonging to other users or system processes. This flaw also creates opportunities for persistent backdoors or privilege escalation attacks, as attackers can overwrite system binaries or configuration files to maintain access to compromised systems.
From a security standards perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-377 and CWE-378, which address insecure temporary file creation and improper file permissions respectively. The flaw also maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, and T1078.004 for valid accounts, as it leverages legitimate user accounts to execute malicious file overwrite operations. The vulnerability demonstrates a failure in proper input validation and file handling security practices, particularly in the context of temporary file management. Organizations should immediately update to node-cli version 1.0.0 or later, which implements proper temporary file handling with secure permissions and atomic file creation. Additionally, system administrators should conduct thorough audits of all installed packages to identify similar vulnerabilities in other software components and implement proper file system permissions and monitoring to detect unauthorized file modifications.
The remediation process requires immediate patching of the affected package, but also involves broader system hardening measures. Security teams should implement file integrity monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized file modifications and establish proper file permission controls for temporary directories. Organizations should also consider implementing privilege separation mechanisms and regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in their software ecosystems. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of secure temporary file handling in application development and the need for comprehensive security testing of all file I/O operations, particularly in packages that may be executed by users with varying privilege levels.