CVE Vulnerabilities

CVE-2008-5366

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

Published: Dec 08, 2008 | Modified: Jan 23, 2009
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

The postinst script in ppp 2.4.4rel on Debian GNU/Linux allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the (1) /tmp/probe-finished or (2) /tmp/ppp-errors 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
Ppp Marco_d’itri 2.4.4 2.4.4

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