CVE-2018-14650 in sos-collector
Summary
by MITRE
It was discovered that sos-collector does not properly set the default permissions of newly created files, making all files created by the tool readable by any local user. A local attacker may use this flaw by waiting for a legit user to run sos-collector and steal the collected data in the /var/tmp directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/19/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-14650 affects the sos-collector tool which is commonly used for gathering system diagnostic information in enterprise environments. This tool operates by collecting various system logs, configuration files, and runtime information from Linux systems and stores this data in the /var/tmp directory. The flaw stems from improper default file permission handling during the creation of new files, specifically failing to set restrictive access controls that would normally limit file access to only authorized users. This design oversight creates a significant security risk by allowing any local user on the system to read files created by sos-collector, effectively providing unauthorized data access to sensitive system information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the sos-collector utility not properly setting file permissions when creating output files in the /var/tmp directory. In Unix-like operating systems, this directory is typically world-writable and accessible to all local users, but normally files created there should have restrictive permissions to prevent unauthorized access. The flaw manifests when sos-collector creates files without explicitly setting secure permissions, leaving them accessible to all local users. This behavior violates fundamental security principles and creates an attack surface that can be exploited by local adversaries who do not require elevated privileges to access sensitive diagnostic data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it enables passive data theft through a technique known as privilege escalation via local access. An attacker can simply wait for a legitimate user to execute sos-collector and then access the collected data files before they are deleted or overwritten. This approach allows attackers to gather comprehensive system information including kernel logs, network configuration details, running processes, and potentially sensitive operational data that could be used for further attacks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in multi-user environments where the attacker may not need to compromise system credentials to access valuable diagnostic information. This flaw aligns with CWE-732 - Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource and represents a classic example of insecure default permissions that violates the principle of least privilege.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of the sos-collector tool to ensure proper file permission handling and explicit setting of restrictive access controls on created files. System administrators should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access to files in the /var/tmp directory and establish regular permission audits to identify any files with overly permissive settings. Additional defensive measures include configuring the tool to create output files in more secure locations with restricted access permissions, implementing mandatory access controls through SELinux or AppArmor, and establishing secure data handling procedures that automatically clean up sensitive diagnostic information after collection. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices in system administration tools, as highlighted by ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1078.004 for Valid Accounts. Organizations should also consider implementing privilege separation techniques and ensuring that diagnostic tools follow security best practices for file creation and access control management to prevent similar issues in other system components.