CVE Vulnerabilities

CVE-2008-5152

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

Published: Nov 18, 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
NEGLIGIBLE
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inmail-show in mh-book 200605 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a (1) /tmp/inmail#####.log or (2) /tmp/inmail#####.stdin 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

NameVendorStart VersionEnd Version
Mh-bookPeter_s_galbraith2000605 (including)2000605 (including)
Mh-bookUbuntuartful*
Mh-bookUbuntubionic*
Mh-bookUbuntucosmic*
Mh-bookUbuntudapper*
Mh-bookUbuntudevel*
Mh-bookUbuntudisco*
Mh-bookUbuntueoan*
Mh-bookUbuntuesm-apps/bionic*
Mh-bookUbuntuesm-apps/focal*
Mh-bookUbuntuesm-apps/jammy*
Mh-bookUbuntuesm-apps/noble*
Mh-bookUbuntuesm-apps/xenial*
Mh-bookUbuntufocal*
Mh-bookUbuntugroovy*
Mh-bookUbuntugutsy*
Mh-bookUbuntuhardy*
Mh-bookUbuntuhirsute*
Mh-bookUbuntuimpish*
Mh-bookUbuntuintrepid*
Mh-bookUbuntujammy*
Mh-bookUbuntujaunty*
Mh-bookUbuntukarmic*
Mh-bookUbuntukinetic*
Mh-bookUbuntulucid*
Mh-bookUbuntulunar*
Mh-bookUbuntumantic*
Mh-bookUbuntumaverick*
Mh-bookUbuntunatty*
Mh-bookUbuntunoble*
Mh-bookUbuntuoneiric*
Mh-bookUbuntuoracular*
Mh-bookUbuntuplucky*
Mh-bookUbuntuprecise*
Mh-bookUbuntuquantal*
Mh-bookUbuntuquesting*
Mh-bookUbunturaring*
Mh-bookUbuntusaucy*
Mh-bookUbuntutrusty*
Mh-bookUbuntuutopic*
Mh-bookUbuntuvivid*
Mh-bookUbuntuwily*
Mh-bookUbuntuxenial*
Mh-bookUbuntuyakkety*
Mh-bookUbuntuzesty*

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