CVE Vulnerabilities

CVE-2008-4950

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

Published: Nov 05, 2008 | 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
LOW
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gccross in dpkg-cross 2.3.0 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the tmp/gccross2.log temporary file. NOTE: the vendor disputes this vulnerability, stating that There is no sense in this bug - the script … is called under specific cross-building environments within a chroot.

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
Dpkg-crossDebian2.3.0 (including)2.3.0 (including)
Dpkg-crossUbuntudapper*
Dpkg-crossUbuntudevel*
Dpkg-crossUbuntugutsy*
Dpkg-crossUbuntuhardy*
Dpkg-crossUbuntuintrepid*
Dpkg-crossUbuntujaunty*
Dpkg-crossUbuntukarmic*
Dpkg-crossUbuntuupstream*

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