Vulnerabilities > CVE-2011-1920 - Link Following vulnerability in multiple products

047910
CVSS 3.3 - LOW
Attack vector
LOCAL
Attack complexity
MEDIUM
Privileges required
NONE
Confidentiality impact
NONE
Integrity impact
PARTIAL
Availability impact
PARTIAL
local
netbsd
ihji
CWE-59
nessus

Summary

The make include files in NetBSD before 1.6.2, as used in pmake 1.111 and other products, allow local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a /tmp/_depend##### temporary file, related to (1) bsd.lib.mk and (2) bsd.prog.mk.

Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)

  • Symlink Attack
    An attacker positions a symbolic link in such a manner that the targeted user or application accesses the link's endpoint, assuming that it is accessing a file with the link's name. The endpoint file may be either output or input. If the file is output, the result is that the endpoint is modified, instead of a file at the intended location. Modifications to the endpoint file may include appending, overwriting, corrupting, changing permissions, or other modifications. In some variants of this attack the attacker may be able to control the change to a file while in other cases they cannot. The former is especially damaging since the attacker may be able to grant themselves increased privileges or insert false information, but the latter can also be damaging as it can expose sensitive information or corrupt or destroy vital system or application files. Alternatively, the endpoint file may serve as input to the targeted application. This can be used to feed malformed input into the target or to cause the target to process different information, possibly allowing the attacker to control the actions of the target or to cause the target to expose information to the attacker. Moreover, the actions taken on the endpoint file are undertaken with the permissions of the targeted user or application, which may exceed the permissions that the attacker would normally have.
  • Accessing, Modifying or Executing Executable Files
    An attack of this type exploits a system's configuration that allows an attacker to either directly access an executable file, for example through shell access; or in a possible worst case allows an attacker to upload a file and then execute it. Web servers, ftp servers, and message oriented middleware systems which have many integration points are particularly vulnerable, because both the programmers and the administrators must be in synch regarding the interfaces and the correct privileges for each interface.
  • Leverage Executable Code in Non-Executable Files
    An attack of this type exploits a system's trust in configuration and resource files, when the executable loads the resource (such as an image file or configuration file) the attacker has modified the file to either execute malicious code directly or manipulate the target process (e.g. application server) to execute based on the malicious configuration parameters. Since systems are increasingly interrelated mashing up resources from local and remote sources the possibility of this attack occurring is high. The attack can be directed at a client system, such as causing buffer overrun through loading seemingly benign image files, as in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-028 where specially crafted JPEG files could cause a buffer overrun once loaded into the browser. Another example targets clients reading pdf files. In this case the attacker simply appends javascript to the end of a legitimate url for a pdf (http://www.gnucitizen.org/blog/danger-danger-danger/) http://path/to/pdf/file.pdf#whatever_name_you_want=javascript:your_code_here The client assumes that they are reading a pdf, but the attacker has modified the resource and loaded executable javascript into the client's browser process. The attack can also target server processes. The attacker edits the resource or configuration file, for example a web.xml file used to configure security permissions for a J2EE app server, adding role name "public" grants all users with the public role the ability to use the administration functionality. The server trusts its configuration file to be correct, but when they are manipulated, the attacker gains full control.
  • Manipulating Input to File System Calls
    An attacker manipulates inputs to the target software which the target software passes to file system calls in the OS. The goal is to gain access to, and perhaps modify, areas of the file system that the target software did not intend to be accessible.

Nessus

  • NASL familyGentoo Local Security Checks
    NASL idGENTOO_GLSA-201310-17.NASL
    descriptionThe remote host is affected by the vulnerability described in GLSA-201310-17 (pmake: Insecure temporary file usage) /usr/share/mk/bsd.lib.mk and /usr/share/mk/bsd.prog.mk create temporary files insecurely, with predictable names (/tmp/_depend[PID]), and without using $TMPDIR. Impact : The make include files allow local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack. Workaround : There is no known workaround at this time.
    last seen2020-06-01
    modified2020-06-02
    plugin id70673
    published2013-10-29
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2013-2018 Tenable Network Security, Inc.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/70673
    titleGLSA-201310-17 : pmake: Insecure temporary file usage
    code
    #
    # (C) Tenable Network Security, Inc.
    #
    # The descriptive text and package checks in this plugin were
    # extracted from Gentoo Linux Security Advisory GLSA 201310-17.
    #
    # The advisory text is Copyright (C) 2001-2015 Gentoo Foundation, Inc.
    # and licensed under the Creative Commons - Attribution / Share Alike 
    # license. See http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
    #
    
    include("compat.inc");
    
    if (description)
    {
      script_id(70673);
      script_version("1.5");
      script_cvs_date("Date: 2018/07/12 19:01:15");
    
      script_cve_id("CVE-2011-1920");
      script_bugtraq_id(47878);
      script_xref(name:"GLSA", value:"201310-17");
    
      script_name(english:"GLSA-201310-17 : pmake: Insecure temporary file usage");
      script_summary(english:"Checks for updated package(s) in /var/db/pkg");
    
      script_set_attribute(
        attribute:"synopsis", 
        value:
    "The remote Gentoo host is missing one or more security-related
    patches."
      );
      script_set_attribute(
        attribute:"description", 
        value:
    "The remote host is affected by the vulnerability described in GLSA-201310-17
    (pmake: Insecure temporary file usage)
    
        /usr/share/mk/bsd.lib.mk and /usr/share/mk/bsd.prog.mk create temporary
          files insecurely, with predictable names (/tmp/_depend[PID]), and
          without using $TMPDIR.
      
    Impact :
    
        The make include files allow local users to overwrite arbitrary files
          via a symlink attack.
      
    Workaround :
    
        There is no known workaround at this time."
      );
      script_set_attribute(
        attribute:"see_also",
        value:"https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201310-17"
      );
      script_set_attribute(
        attribute:"solution", 
        value:
    "All pmake users should upgrade to the latest version:
          # emerge --sync
          # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose '>=sys-devel/pmake-1.111.3.1'"
      );
      script_set_cvss_base_vector("CVSS2#AV:L/AC:M/Au:N/C:N/I:P/A:P");
      script_set_cvss_temporal_vector("CVSS2#E:U/RL:OF/RC:C");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploitability_ease", value:"No known exploits are available");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_available", value:"false");
    
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_type", value:"local");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:gentoo:linux:pmake");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:gentoo:linux");
    
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"patch_publication_date", value:"2013/10/28");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_publication_date", value:"2013/10/29");
      script_end_attributes();
    
      script_category(ACT_GATHER_INFO);
      script_copyright(english:"This script is Copyright (C) 2013-2018 Tenable Network Security, Inc.");
      script_family(english:"Gentoo Local Security Checks");
    
      script_dependencies("ssh_get_info.nasl");
      script_require_keys("Host/local_checks_enabled", "Host/Gentoo/release", "Host/Gentoo/qpkg-list");
    
      exit(0);
    }
    
    
    include("audit.inc");
    include("global_settings.inc");
    include("qpkg.inc");
    
    if (!get_kb_item("Host/local_checks_enabled")) audit(AUDIT_LOCAL_CHECKS_NOT_ENABLED);
    if (!get_kb_item("Host/Gentoo/release")) audit(AUDIT_OS_NOT, "Gentoo");
    if (!get_kb_item("Host/Gentoo/qpkg-list")) audit(AUDIT_PACKAGE_LIST_MISSING);
    
    
    flag = 0;
    
    if (qpkg_check(package:"sys-devel/pmake", unaffected:make_list("ge 1.111.3.1"), vulnerable:make_list("lt 1.111.3.1"))) flag++;
    
    if (flag)
    {
      if (report_verbosity > 0) security_note(port:0, extra:qpkg_report_get());
      else security_note(0);
      exit(0);
    }
    else
    {
      tested = qpkg_tests_get();
      if (tested) audit(AUDIT_PACKAGE_NOT_AFFECTED, tested);
      else audit(AUDIT_PACKAGE_NOT_INSTALLED, "pmake");
    }
    
  • NASL familyMandriva Local Security Checks
    NASL idMANDRIVA_MDVSA-2013-271.NASL
    descriptionUpdated pmake package fixes security vulnerability : The make include files in NetBSD before 1.6.2, as used in pmake 1.111 and earlier, allow local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a /tmp/_depend##### temporary file, related to bsd.lib.mk and bsd.prog.mk (CVE-2011-1920).
    last seen2020-06-01
    modified2020-06-02
    plugin id71026
    published2013-11-22
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2013-2019 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/71026
    titleMandriva Linux Security Advisory : pmake (MDVSA-2013:271)
    code
    #%NASL_MIN_LEVEL 80502
    
    #
    # (C) Tenable Network Security, Inc.
    #
    # The descriptive text and package checks in this plugin were  
    # extracted from Mandriva Linux Security Advisory MDVSA-2013:271. 
    # The text itself is copyright (C) Mandriva S.A.
    #
    
    include("compat.inc");
    
    if (description)
    {
      script_id(71026);
      script_version("1.5");
      script_cvs_date("Date: 2019/08/02 13:32:55");
    
      script_cve_id("CVE-2011-1920");
      script_bugtraq_id(47878);
      script_xref(name:"MDVSA", value:"2013:271");
    
      script_name(english:"Mandriva Linux Security Advisory : pmake (MDVSA-2013:271)");
      script_summary(english:"Checks rpm output for the updated package");
    
      script_set_attribute(
        attribute:"synopsis", 
        value:"The remote Mandriva Linux host is missing a security update."
      );
      script_set_attribute(
        attribute:"description", 
        value:
    "Updated pmake package fixes security vulnerability :
    
    The make include files in NetBSD before 1.6.2, as used in pmake 1.111
    and earlier, allow local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a
    symlink attack on a /tmp/_depend##### temporary file, related to
    bsd.lib.mk and bsd.prog.mk (CVE-2011-1920)."
      );
      script_set_attribute(
        attribute:"see_also",
        value:"http://advisories.mageia.org/MGASA-2013-0331.html"
      );
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"solution", value:"Update the affected pmake package.");
      script_set_cvss_base_vector("CVSS2#AV:L/AC:M/Au:N/C:N/I:P/A:P");
      script_set_cvss_temporal_vector("CVSS2#E:U/RL:OF/RC:C");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploitability_ease", value:"No known exploits are available");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_available", value:"false");
    
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_type", value:"local");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:mandriva:linux:pmake");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:mandriva:business_server:1");
    
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"patch_publication_date", value:"2013/11/21");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_publication_date", value:"2013/11/22");
      script_end_attributes();
    
      script_category(ACT_GATHER_INFO);
      script_copyright(english:"This script is Copyright (C) 2013-2019 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.");
      script_family(english:"Mandriva Local Security Checks");
    
      script_dependencies("ssh_get_info.nasl");
      script_require_keys("Host/local_checks_enabled", "Host/cpu", "Host/Mandrake/release", "Host/Mandrake/rpm-list");
    
      exit(0);
    }
    
    
    include("audit.inc");
    include("global_settings.inc");
    include("rpm.inc");
    
    
    if (!get_kb_item("Host/local_checks_enabled")) audit(AUDIT_LOCAL_CHECKS_NOT_ENABLED);
    if (!get_kb_item("Host/Mandrake/release")) audit(AUDIT_OS_NOT, "Mandriva / Mandake Linux");
    if (!get_kb_item("Host/Mandrake/rpm-list")) audit(AUDIT_PACKAGE_LIST_MISSING);
    
    cpu = get_kb_item("Host/cpu");
    if (isnull(cpu)) audit(AUDIT_UNKNOWN_ARCH);
    if (cpu !~ "^(amd64|i[3-6]86|x86_64)$") audit(AUDIT_LOCAL_CHECKS_NOT_IMPLEMENTED, "Mandriva / Mandrake Linux", cpu);
    
    
    flag = 0;
    if (rpm_check(release:"MDK-MBS1", cpu:"x86_64", reference:"pmake-1.45-11.1.mbs1")) flag++;
    
    
    if (flag)
    {
      if (report_verbosity > 0) security_note(port:0, extra:rpm_report_get());
      else security_note(0);
      exit(0);
    }
    else audit(AUDIT_HOST_NOT, "affected");