GNU a2ps up to 4.14 lib/routines.h spy_user link following

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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4.0$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability labeled as problematic has been found in GNU a2ps up to 4.14. Impacted is the function spy_user in the library lib/routines.h. Executing a manipulation can lead to link following. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2001-1593. There is no exploit available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in GNU a2ps up to 4.14 and classified as problematic. This vulnerability affects the function spy_user in the library lib/routines.h. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a link following vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-59. The product attempts to access a file based on the filename, but it does not properly prevent that filename from identifying a link or shortcut that resolves to an unintended resource. As an impact it is known to affect integrity. CVE summarizes:

The tempname_ensure function in lib/routines.h in a2ps 4.14 and earlier, as used by the spy_user function and possibly other functions, allows local users to modify arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a temporary file.

The weakness was shared 04/05/2014 as Bug 1060630 as not defined bug report (Bugzilla). The advisory is available at bugzilla.redhat.com. This vulnerability was named CVE-2001-1593 since 02/05/2014. The exploitation appears to be easy. Local access is required to approach this attack. No form of authentication is required for a successful exploitation. Technical details are known, but there is no available exploit.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 73278 (Debian DSA-2892-1 : a2ps - security update), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family Debian Local Security Checks.

There is no information about possible countermeasures known. It may be suggested to replace the affected object with an alternative product.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Tenable (73278) and Vulnerability Center (SBV-43932†). If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 4.0
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 4.0

VulDB Base Score: 4.0
VulDB Temp Score: 4.0
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Link following
CWE: CWE-59
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: No

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 73278
Nessus Name: Debian DSA-2892-1 : a2ps - security update
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍
Nessus Port: 🔍

OpenVAS ID: 702892
OpenVAS Name: Debian Security Advisory DSA 2892-1 (a2ps - security update)
OpenVAS File: 🔍
OpenVAS Family: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: no mitigation known
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Timelineinfo

02/05/2014 🔍
04/01/2014 +55 days 🔍
04/05/2014 +4 days 🔍
04/05/2014 +0 days 🔍
04/05/2014 +0 days 🔍
04/08/2014 +3 days 🔍
03/24/2015 +350 days 🔍
05/09/2026 +4064 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: gnu.org

Advisory: Bug 1060630
Status: Not defined
Confirmation: 🔍

CVE: CVE-2001-1593 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2001-1593
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-66874

OVAL: 🔍

SecurityFocus: 65294
Vulnerability Center: 43932 - GNU a2ps before 4.14-1.1 Local File Modification via a Symlink Attack on a Temporary File, Low

Entryinfo

Created: 03/24/2015 15:54
Updated: 05/09/2026 20:23
Changes: 03/24/2015 15:54 (60), 05/24/2017 11:33 (7), 02/06/2022 15:05 (4), 05/09/2026 20:23 (16)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.

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