CVE-2009-5044

contrib/pdfmark/pdfroff.sh in GNU troff (aka groff) before 1.21 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a pdf#####.tmp 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

• ftp://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/groff/groff-1.20.1-1.21.diff.gz
• http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=538330
• http://cvsweb.openwall.com/cgi/cvsweb.cgi/Owl/packages/groff/groff-1.20.1-owl-tmp.diff
• http://cvsweb.openwall.com/cgi/cvsweb.cgi/Owl/packages/groff/groff-1.20.1-owl-tmp.diff.diff?r1=1.1%3Br2=1.2%3Bf=h
• http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2015/Aug/msg00001.html
• http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/08/09/1
• http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/08/10/2
• http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/08/14/4
• http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/08/14/5
• http://secunia.com/advisories/44999
• http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2013:085
• http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2013:086
• http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/36381
• https://support.apple.com/kb/HT205031