CVE-2008-4639

jhead.c in Matthias Wandel jhead 2.84 and earlier allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a temporary file.

Weakness

The software 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://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2008/10/15/5
• http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2008/10/15/6
• http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2008/10/16/3
• http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/02/06/5
• https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/jhead/+bug/271020