Source: cve@mitre.org
iPass RoamServer 3.1 creates temporary files with world-writable permissions.
iPass RoamServer 3.1 is vulnerable to a critical security flaw where it creates world-writable temporary files, allowing attackers to potentially overwrite critical system files or inject malicious code. This vulnerability can lead to complete system compromise and data breaches, posing a significant risk to confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Immediate action is required to mitigate this risk.
Step 1: Identify Vulnerable Files: An attacker identifies the temporary files created by iPass RoamServer 3.1. This might involve observing file creation patterns or analyzing the server's behavior.
Step 2: Craft Malicious Payload: The attacker crafts a malicious payload, such as a script, executable, or configuration file, designed to achieve a specific objective (e.g., gaining remote access, escalating privileges, or exfiltrating data).
Step 3: Overwrite Temporary File: The attacker writes the malicious payload to one of the world-writable temporary files. This is possible because of the insecure file permissions.
Step 4: Trigger Execution: The attacker triggers the execution of the malicious payload. This could involve waiting for the RoamServer process to read or execute the modified file, or exploiting another vulnerability to force the execution.
Step 5: System Compromise: The malicious payload executes, granting the attacker control over the system, allowing for further exploitation and data exfiltration.
The root cause of CVE-1999-1274 lies in the insecure file creation practices within iPass RoamServer 3.1. The software, when creating temporary files, fails to restrict write permissions, granting world-writable access. This means any user on the system can read, write, and potentially execute code within these temporary files. The specific logic flaw is the absence of a call to chmod() or similar function to restrict the file permissions after creation. This allows an attacker to overwrite these files with malicious content, which could then be executed by the RoamServer process or other processes that interact with these files. The lack of proper permission management creates a significant privilege escalation opportunity.
Due to the age of this vulnerability, it's unlikely to be directly associated with specific APT groups. However, any threat actor with basic skills could exploit it. The impact of this vulnerability aligns with the goals of various threat actors, including those seeking to establish persistence, steal data, or disrupt operations. This vulnerability is not listed on the CISA KEV at this time, but the potential impact warrants consideration.
Monitor file system activity for the creation of temporary files with world-writable permissions (e.g., using auditd on Linux).
Analyze system logs for suspicious file modifications or executions within the iPass RoamServer directory or related temporary file locations.
Implement file integrity monitoring (FIM) to detect unauthorized changes to critical system files.
Network monitoring for unusual traffic patterns originating from the server, indicating potential command-and-control activity or data exfiltration.
Upgrade to a patched version of iPass RoamServer or a supported alternative. If upgrading is not possible, contact the vendor for a patch.
Implement a file permission hardening policy to prevent the creation of world-writable files. This can be achieved through configuration changes or security tools.
Regularly review and audit file permissions to identify and correct any insecure configurations.
Implement a defense-in-depth strategy, including intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions.
Isolate the iPass RoamServer from other critical systems to limit the impact of a compromise.