CVE-2016-20015 in SmokePing
Summary
by MITRE • 09/20/2022
In the ebuild package through smokeping-2.7.3-r1 for SmokePing on Gentoo, the initscript allows the smokeping user to gain ownership of any file, allowing for the smokeping user to gain root privileges. There is a race condition involving /var/lib/smokeping and chown.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-20015 affects the smokeping ebuild package version 2.7.3-r1 and earlier on Gentoo Linux systems. This security flaw exists within the initscript component of SmokePing, a network latency monitoring tool that tracks network performance over time. The issue stems from improper privilege handling during the initialization process, creating a critical pathway for privilege escalation from the smokeping user to the root user account. The vulnerability specifically targets the file ownership mechanisms within the system's file management processes.
The technical flaw manifests through a race condition involving the /var/lib/smokeping directory and the chown command execution. During the startup process, the initscript creates or modifies files within the smokeping data directory while simultaneously performing ownership changes that can be exploited by malicious actors. This race condition occurs because the system does not properly synchronize access to the directory structure, allowing the smokeping user to manipulate file ownership before the proper privilege checks are completed. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-362, which describes a race condition flaw that allows unauthorized privilege escalation through improper synchronization of concurrent operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides a direct path for privilege escalation attacks. An attacker with access to the smokeping user account can exploit this weakness to gain root privileges on the system, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Once root access is obtained, the attacker can modify system files, install malware, create backdoors, or exfiltrate sensitive data. The vulnerability affects systems where SmokePing is installed with default configurations, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the smokeping user has access to the system. This flaw particularly impacts network monitoring environments where SmokePing is deployed, as these systems often require elevated privileges for proper operation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through package updates from Gentoo's repositories, ensuring that the smokeping package is updated to version 2.7.3-r2 or later where the race condition has been addressed. System administrators should also implement proper file permissions and ownership checks for the /var/lib/smokeping directory, verifying that the correct user and group ownership is maintained throughout the system lifecycle. Additionally, implementing proper privilege separation and ensuring that the initscript executes with minimal required privileges can help reduce the attack surface. The mitigation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which addresses privilege escalation through race conditions, and follows security best practices outlined in the principle of least privilege. Organizations should also conduct regular security audits of their system initialization processes and file ownership mechanisms to identify similar vulnerabilities in other services.