CVE Vulnerabilities

CVE-2014-1640

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

Published: Jan 28, 2014 | Modified: Aug 29, 2017
CVSS 3.x
N/A
Source:
NVD
CVSS 2.x
3.3 LOW
AV:L/AC:M/Au:N/C:N/I:P/A:P
RedHat/V2
RedHat/V3
Ubuntu
MEDIUM

axiom-test.sh in axiom 20100701-1.1 uses tempfile to create a safe temporary file but appends a suffix to the original filename and writes to this new filename, which allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the new filename.

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
Axiom Debian 20100701-1.1 (including) 20100701-1.1 (including)
Axiom Ubuntu lucid *
Axiom Ubuntu precise *
Axiom Ubuntu quantal *
Axiom Ubuntu saucy *
Axiom Ubuntu trusty *

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