A flaw in Node.jss permission model allows a files access and modification timestamps to be changed via futimes() even when the process has only read permissions. Unlike utimes(), futimes() does not apply the expected write-permission checks, which means file metadata can be modified in read-only directories. This behavior could be used to alter timestamps in ways that obscure activity, reducing the reliability of logs. This vulnerability affects users of the permission model on Node.js v20, v22, v24, and v25.
Weakness
During installation, installed file permissions are set to allow anyone to modify those files.
Affected Software
| Name | Vendor | Start Version | End Version |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nodejs | Ubuntu | plucky | * |
| Nodejs | Ubuntu | upstream | * |
Potential Mitigations
- Compartmentalize the system to have “safe” areas where trust boundaries can be unambiguously drawn. Do not allow sensitive data to go outside of the trust boundary and always be careful when interfacing with a compartment outside of the safe area.
- Ensure that appropriate compartmentalization is built into the system design, and the compartmentalization allows for and reinforces privilege separation functionality. Architects and designers should rely on the principle of least privilege to decide the appropriate time to use privileges and the time to drop privileges.
Related Attack Patterns
- https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/1.html
- https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/127.html
- https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/81.html