CVE-2008-0525

PatchLink Update client for Unix, as used by Novell ZENworks Patch Management Update Agent for Linux/Unix/Mac (LUM) 6.2094 through 6.4102 and other products, allows local users to (1) truncate arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the /tmp/patchlink.tmp file used by the logtrimmer script, and (2) execute arbitrary code via a symlink attack on the /tmp/plshutdown file used by the rebootTask script.

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

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.

Related Attack Patterns

• https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/132.html
• https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/17.html
• https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/35.html
• https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/76.html

References

• http://secunia.com/advisories/28657
• http://secunia.com/advisories/28665
• http://securityreason.com/securityalert/3599
• http://support.lumension.com/scripts/rightnow.cfg/php.exe/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=527
• http://support.lumension.com/scripts/rightnow.cfg/php.exe/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=528
• http://support.lumension.com/scripts/rightnow.cfg/php.exe/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=530
• http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/487103/100/0/threaded
• http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/27458
• http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1019272
• http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2008/0426
• https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/39956
• https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/39958
• https://secure-support.novell.com/KanisaPlatform/Publishing/18/3908994_f.SAL_Public.html