Python move-faqwiz.sh symlink

python-movefaqwiz-symlink (45161) The risk level is classified as MediumMedium Risk

Description:

Python could allow a local attacker to launch a symlink attack. The move-faqwiz.sh script creates temporary files insecurely. A local attacker could exploit this vulnerability by creating a symbolic link from a temporary file to other various files on the system, which would allow the attacker to overwrite arbitrary files on the system with elevated privileges.

Platforms Affected:

  • Python Software Foundation, Python 2.3.4
  • Python Software Foundation, Python 2.3.5
  • Python Software Foundation, Python 2.3.6
  • Python Software Foundation, Python 2.4
  • Python Software Foundation, Python 2.4.1
  • Python Software Foundation, Python 2.4.2
  • Python Software Foundation, Python 2.4.3
  • Python Software Foundation, Python 2.4.4 r14
  • Python Software Foundation, Python 2.4.4
  • Python Software Foundation, Python 2.4.5

Remedy:

No remedy available as of July 4, 2009.

Consequences:

File Manipulation

References:

  • Debian Bug report logs - #498899, Unsecure use of temporary file at http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=498899.
  • Python Web site, Python Programming Language at http://www.python.org/.
  • Red Hat Bugzilla Bug 462326, CVE-2008-4108 python: Generic FAQ wizard moving tool insecure auxiliary /tmp file usage (symlink attack possible) at https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=462326.
  • BID-31184: Python 'move-faqwiz.sh' Insecure Temporary File Creation Vulnerability
  • CVE-2008-4108: Tools/faqwiz/move-faqwiz.sh (aka the generic FAQ wizard moving tool) in Python 2.4.5 might allow local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a tmp$RANDOM.tmp temporary file. NOTE: there may not be common usage scenarios in which tmp$RANDOM.tmp is located in an untrusted directory.
  • SECTRACK ID: 1020904: Python 'move-faqwiz.sh' Uses Unsafe Temporary Files That Let Local Users Gain Elevated Privileges
  • VUPEN/ADV-2008-2659: Python move-faqwiz.sh Insecure Temporary File Vulnerability

Reported:

Sep 14, 2008

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