CVE Vulnerabilities

CVE-2008-3524

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

Published: Sep 29, 2008 | Modified: Aug 08, 2017
CVSS 3.x
N/A
Source:
NVD
CVSS 2.x
4.7 MEDIUM
AV:L/AC:M/Au:N/C:N/I:N/A:C
RedHat/V2
RedHat/V3
Ubuntu

rc.sysinit in initscripts before 8.76.3-1 on Fedora 9 and other Linux platforms allows local users to delete arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a file or directory under (1) /var/lock or (2) /var/run.

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
Fedora Redhat 9 (including) 9 (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