CVE Vulnerabilities

CVE-2007-5805

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

Published: Nov 05, 2007 | Modified: Apr 09, 2025
CVSS 3.x
N/A
Source:
NVD
CVSS 2.x
6.9 MEDIUM
AV:L/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
RedHat/V2
RedHat/V3
Ubuntu
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cfgcon in IBM AIX 5.2 and 5.3 does not properly validate the argument to the -p option to swcons, which allows local users in the system group to create an arbitrary file, and enable world writability of this file, via a symlink attack involving use of the files name as the argument. NOTE: this issue is due to an incomplete fix for CVE-2007-5804.

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

NameVendorStart VersionEnd Version
AixIbm5.2 (including)5.2 (including)
AixIbm5.3 (including)5.3 (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