CVE Vulnerabilities

CVE-2008-4971

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

Published: Nov 06, 2008 | Modified: Aug 08, 2017
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

mafft-homologs in mafft 6.240 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on (1) /tmp/_vf#?????, (2) /tmp/_if#?????, (3) /tmp/_pf#?????, (4) /tmp/_af#?????, (5) /tmp/_rid#?????, (6) /tmp/_res#?????, (7) /tmp/_q#?????, and (8) /tmp/_bf#????? temporary files.

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
Mafft Align.bmr.kyushu-u.ac 6.240 (including) 6.240 (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