CVE Vulnerabilities

CVE-2008-4553

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

Published: Oct 15, 2008 | Modified: Aug 08, 2017
CVSS 3.x
N/A
Source:
NVD
CVSS 2.x
7.2 HIGH
AV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
RedHat/V2
RedHat/V3
Ubuntu
MEDIUM

qemu-make-debian-root in qemu 0.9.1-5 on Debian GNU/Linux allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on temporary files and directories.

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
Qemu Qemu 0.9.1-5 (including) 0.9.1-5 (including)
Qemu Ubuntu dapper *
Qemu Ubuntu gutsy *
Qemu Ubuntu hardy *
Qemu Ubuntu upstream *

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