AIX 3.x - bugfiler Arbitrary File Creation

Author: Johannes Schwabe
type: local
platform: aix
port: 
date_added: 1997-09-08  
date_updated: 2012-08-06  
verified: 1  
codes: CVE-1999-0115;OSVDB-1611  
tags:   
aliases:   
screenshot_url:   
application_url:   

raw file: 20290.txt  
source: https://www.securityfocus.com/bid/1800/info

A vulnerability exists in AIX 3.* versions of bugfiler, a utility which automates the process of reporting an filing system bugs. Bugfiler, installed setuid root, creates files in a directory specified by the user invoking the program (example: $/lib/bugfiler -b <user> directory>). It may be possible for an attacker to create files in arbitrary directories that are owned by attacker-specified users. This may result in an elevation of privileges for the attacker. Further technical details about this vulnerability are not known.

$whoami eviluser
$/lib/bugfiler -b <user> <directory> creates funny files under the <user>-owned <directory> and that may be used by crackers to increase privileges. See the manpage of bugfiler for more information. (bugfiler does not work for some <user>s)