CVE-2025-70342 in erase-install
Summary
by MITRE • 03/04/2026
erase-install prior to v40.4 commit 2c31239 writes swiftDialog credential output to a hardcoded path /var/tmp/dialog.json. This allows an unauthenticated attacker to intercept admin credentials entered during reinstall/erase operations via creating a named pipe.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2025-70342 affects the erase-install tool version prior to v40.4, specifically before commit 2c31239, where the application writes swiftDialog credential output to a hardcoded file path at /var/tmp/dialog.json. This represents a critical security flaw that exposes administrative credentials during system reinstallation or erase operations. The hardcoded path creates a predictable attack surface that adversaries can exploit to gain unauthorized access to privileged credentials. The vulnerability specifically impacts environments where erase-install is used for system reinstallation, particularly in enterprise settings where administrative credentials are frequently required during deployment processes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the hardcoded file path approach used by the erase-install tool, which violates security best practices for credential handling and temporary file management. When swiftDialog prompts for administrative credentials during the reinstall process, the tool writes these credentials to the predictable location /var/tmp/dialog.json without proper access controls or encryption. This hardcoded path allows any local user or process to access the credential file, creating a significant attack vector. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-772, which addresses improper restriction of operations within a limited scope, and CWE-312, which covers exposure of sensitive information through improper handling of credentials. The flaw represents a failure in secure coding practices and demonstrates poor adherence to the principle of least privilege in credential management.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft to potentially enable full system compromise and privilege escalation within enterprise environments. An unauthenticated attacker who can create a named pipe at the hardcoded path can intercept the credential data during the reinstallation process, allowing them to gain administrative access to systems. This threat is particularly severe in environments where erase-install is used for automated deployment, as it could enable attackers to compromise multiple systems during routine maintenance operations. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.001, which covers credentials in files, and T1068, which addresses exploit for privilege escalation. Organizations using this tool for system reinstallation or deployment may be unknowingly exposing their administrative credentials to unauthorized access, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through updating to version v40.4 or later, which addresses the hardcoded path issue through proper credential handling. Administrators should implement additional access controls on the /var/tmp directory and monitor for unauthorized access attempts to the dialog.json file. The fix should include dynamic path generation for credential storage rather than hardcoded locations, along with proper file permissions and encryption of sensitive data. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect suspicious file access patterns around the temporary directory and credential files. Security teams should review all systems using erase-install and ensure that proper access controls are in place to prevent unauthorized users from accessing temporary credential files. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure temporary file handling and proper credential management practices in system deployment tools.