CVE Vulnerabilities

CVE-2008-4993

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

Published: Nov 07, 2008 | Modified: Nov 21, 2024
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

qemu-dm.debug in Xen 3.2.1 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the /tmp/args temporary file.

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
Xen Xen 3.2.1 (including) 3.2.1 (including)
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 RedHat xen-0:3.0.3-64.el5_2.9 *
Xen Ubuntu dapper *
Xen-3.1 Ubuntu gutsy *
Xen-3.1 Ubuntu hardy *
Xen-3.1 Ubuntu intrepid *
Xen-3.2 Ubuntu hardy *
Xen-3.3 Ubuntu intrepid *
Xen-3.3 Ubuntu jaunty *
Xen-3.3 Ubuntu karmic *
Xen-3.3 Ubuntu lucid *
Xen-3.3 Ubuntu maverick *
Xen-3.3 Ubuntu natty *

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