CVE-2008-5152

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

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://lists.debian.org/debian-devel/2008/08/msg00347.html
• http://uvw.ru/report.sid.txt
• http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/32399
• https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/46709