CVE Vulnerabilities

CVE-2003-1233

Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')

Published: Dec 31, 2003 | Modified: Feb 16, 2024
CVSS 3.x
9.8
CRITICAL
Source:
NVD
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS 2.x
2.1 LOW
AV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:P/A:N
RedHat/V2
RedHat/V3
Ubuntu

Pedestal Software Integrity Protection Driver (IPD) 1.3 and earlier allows privileged attackers, such as rootkits, to bypass file access restrictions to the Windows kernel by using the NtCreateSymbolicLinkObject function to create a symbolic link to (1) DevicePhysicalMemory or (2) to a drive letter using the subst command.

Weakness

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.

Affected Software

Name Vendor Start Version End Version
Integrity_protection_driver Pedestalsoftware * 1.3 (including)

Potential Mitigations

  • Follow the principle of least privilege when assigning access rights to entities in a software system.
  • Denying access to a file can prevent an attacker from replacing that file with a link to a sensitive file. Ensure good compartmentalization in the system to provide protected areas that can be trusted.

References