CVE-2023-49345 in budgie-takeabrea
Summary
by MITRE • 12/15/2023
Temporary data passed between application components by Budgie Extras Takeabreak applet could potentially be viewed or manipulated. The data is stored in a location that is accessible to any user who has local access to the system. Attackers may pre-create and control this file to present false information to users or deny access to the application and panel.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-49345 affects the Budgie Extras Takeabreak applet, a component of the Budgie desktop environment designed to remind users to take breaks from computer work. This security flaw represents a critical weakness in the application's data handling mechanisms, specifically concerning temporary data storage and access controls. The vulnerability stems from improper privilege management and insufficient access controls within the application's temporary file handling system, creating a pathway for unauthorized data manipulation and information disclosure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the applet storing temporary data in a location that lacks proper access restrictions, allowing any local user to access, view, or modify the stored information. This represents a classic case of inadequate temporary file security, where sensitive data that should remain isolated to the legitimate application process becomes accessible to all local system users. The flaw falls under the category of insecure temporary file handling as defined by CWE-377, which specifically addresses the creation of temporary files with insecure permissions or locations that can be accessed by unauthorized parties.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates multiple attack vectors that can significantly impact user security and system integrity. An attacker with local access can pre-create malicious files in the designated temporary storage location, enabling them to inject false information into the application's user interface or completely disrupt the application's functionality. The potential impact extends beyond simple information disclosure to include denial of service scenarios where the application becomes unusable due to manipulated temporary data. This vulnerability directly affects the integrity of user safety notifications and could lead to users being misled about their break schedules or system status.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with several ATT&CK framework techniques, particularly those related to privilege escalation and credential access through local system manipulation. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to application data, potentially leading to more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability also represents a failure in the principle of least privilege, where temporary files are created with overly permissive access controls that should be restricted to the specific application process. This flaw demonstrates poor security hygiene in application design and highlights the importance of implementing proper file system access controls and secure temporary file creation practices.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper access controls for temporary file storage, ensuring that temporary data is created with restrictive permissions and stored in secure locations. System administrators should consider implementing additional monitoring for suspicious file access patterns and ensure that all local users have appropriate access controls. The application should be updated to use secure temporary file creation methods that prevent unauthorized access to temporary data. Additionally, regular security audits of desktop applications should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in temporary file handling mechanisms, as this type of flaw is commonly found in applications that do not properly implement secure coding practices for temporary data management.