CVE-2017-14484 in sci-mathematics-gimps
Summary
by MITRE
The Gentoo sci-mathematics/gimps package before 28.10-r1 for Great Internet Mersenne Prime Search (GIMPS) allows local users to gain privileges by creating a hard link under /var/lib/gimps, because an unsafe "chown -R" command is executed.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/17/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14484 resides within the Gentoo sci-mathematics/gimps package, specifically affecting versions prior to 28.10-r1 in the Great Internet Mersenne Prime Search (GIMPS) software ecosystem. This issue represents a critical privilege escalation vulnerability that exploits a fundamental flaw in the package's handling of file ownership during installation or update processes. The GIMPS software is designed to search for Mersenne prime numbers through distributed computing, making it a legitimate and widely-used mathematical tool that requires proper security controls to prevent unauthorized access to system resources.
The technical flaw manifests through an unsafe command execution pattern involving the "chown -R" utility within the package's installation scripts. When the package processes updates or installations, it executes a recursive chown command that operates on files within the /var/lib/gimps directory structure. This command lacks proper validation of file ownership and directory permissions, creating a race condition vulnerability that local users can exploit through symbolic link manipulation. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows unprivileged users to manipulate the ownership of files and directories, potentially gaining elevated privileges to perform actions that should be restricted to system administrators or the package's intended user context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally compromises the security model of the GIMPS package installation process. Attackers can leverage this flaw by creating hard links in the /var/lib/gimps directory structure before the package executes its chown operations. This manipulation allows them to redirect file ownership changes to arbitrary locations within the filesystem, potentially enabling access to sensitive system resources or the ability to modify critical system files. The vulnerability affects systems where the GIMPS package is installed and updated, creating a persistent threat vector that remains active until the package is upgraded to version 28.10-r1 or later.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which describes improper file permissions, and represents a classic example of insecure temporary file handling that enables privilege escalation attacks. The flaw also relates to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation," as local users can exploit the insecure command execution to elevate their privileges. Organizations running GIMPS software should implement immediate mitigation strategies including upgrading to the patched version 28.10-r1, reviewing package installation permissions, and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices in package management systems and highlights the need for proper input validation and privilege separation in system administration utilities that handle file ownership operations.