CVE Vulnerabilities

CVE-2014-3986

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

Published: Jun 08, 2014 | Modified: Apr 12, 2025
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
LOW
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include/tests_webservers in Lynis before 1.5.5 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a /tmp/lynis.*.unsorted file with an easily determined name.

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
LynisCisofy*1.5.4 (including)
LynisCisofy1.5.0 (including)1.5.0 (including)
LynisCisofy1.5.1 (including)1.5.1 (including)
LynisCisofy1.5.2 (including)1.5.2 (including)
LynisCisofy1.5.3 (including)1.5.3 (including)
LynisUbuntuartful*
LynisUbuntulucid*
LynisUbuntuprecise*
LynisUbuntusaucy*
LynisUbuntutrusty*
LynisUbuntuupstream*
LynisUbuntuutopic*
LynisUbuntuvivid*
LynisUbuntuwily*
LynisUbuntuyakkety*
LynisUbuntuzesty*

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