CVE-2016-7490 in Studio Express
Summary
by MITRE
The installation script studioexpressinstall for Teradata Studio Express 15.12.00.00 creates files in /tmp insecurely. A malicious local user could create a symlink in /tmp and possibly clobber system files or perhaps elevate privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/05/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-7490 affects Teradata Studio Express 15.12.00.00 through its installation script studioexpressinstall which demonstrates insecure temporary file handling practices. This issue resides in the installation process where the script creates temporary files in the /tmp directory without proper security measures. The insecure creation of files in /tmp represents a classic race condition vulnerability that has been documented under CWE-377 and CWE-378, where temporary files are created with predictable names and insufficient permissions, making them susceptible to exploitation by malicious local users.
The technical flaw manifests when the installation script creates files in the /tmp directory without utilizing secure methods such as mkstemp() or proper file permission settings. This insecure practice allows a local attacker to create symbolic links in /tmp with names that match those expected by the installation script. When the script attempts to create its temporary files, it inadvertently writes to the attacker-controlled symbolic link target rather than the intended temporary file location. This type of vulnerability is categorized under the ATT&CK technique T1068 which involves exploiting local privilege escalation mechanisms through insecure file handling.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides a potential path for privilege escalation from a regular user to a root or administrative account. While the exploit requires local access, the potential for system compromise is substantial since a malicious user could leverage this to overwrite critical system files, modify binaries, or inject malicious code into the system. The vulnerability affects any system where Teradata Studio Express is installed and the installation script is executed with elevated privileges, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments or shared systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-7490 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary fix involves updating to a patched version of Teradata Studio Express that properly handles temporary file creation using secure methods. Organizations should also implement proper file system permissions and ensure that /tmp directories are properly secured with restrictive permissions. Additionally, system administrators should conduct regular audits of temporary file creation practices and implement monitoring for suspicious file creation patterns. The solution aligns with security best practices outlined in the CWE guidelines for secure temporary file handling and represents a fundamental requirement for preventing local privilege escalation attacks in Unix-like systems.