Description

The software, when opening a file or directory, does not sufficiently handle when the name is associated with a hard link to a target that is outside of the intended control sphere. This could allow an attacker to cause the software to operate on unauthorized files.

Failure for a system to check for hard links can result in vulnerability to different types of attacks. For example, an attacker can escalate their privileges if a file used by a privileged program is replaced with a hard link to a sensitive file (e.g. AUTOEXEC.BAT). When the process opens the file, the attacker can assume the privileges of that process, or prevent the program from accurately processing data.

Modes of Introduction:

– Implementation

Related Weaknesses

CWE-59

Consequences

Confidentiality, Integrity: Read Files or Directories, Modify Files or Directories

Potential Mitigations

Phase: Architecture and Design

Description: 

CVE References

• CVE-2002-0725
  • File system allows local attackers to hide file usage activities via a hard link to the target file, which causes the link to be recorded in the audit trail instead of the target file.

• CVE-2003-0844
  • Web server plugin allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on predictable temporary filenames.