CVE-2017-15288 : Security Advisory and Response

CVE-2017-15288 was published on November 15, 2017, and affects Scala versions prior to 2.10.7, 2.11.x up to 2.11.12, and 2.12.x up to 2.12.4. The vulnerability lies in the Scala compilation daemon, allowing local users to overwrite class files and potentially exploit elevated privileges.

Understanding CVE-2017-15288

This CVE highlights a security flaw in the Scala compilation daemon that could be exploited by local users to gain unauthorized access.

What is CVE-2017-15288?

The vulnerability in the Scala compilation daemon arises from insufficient access restrictions for private files, enabling local users to overwrite any class files and potentially exploit elevated privileges.

The Impact of CVE-2017-15288

The vulnerability allows local users to write to arbitrary class files, potentially leading to privilege escalation and unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-15288

The technical details shed light on the specific aspects of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The Scala compilation daemon uses weak permissions for private files in /tmp/scala-devel/${USER:shared}/scalac-compile-server-port, enabling local users to write to arbitrary class files and gain privileges.

Affected Systems and Versions

Scala versions prior to 2.10.7
Scala 2.11.x up to 2.11.12
Scala 2.12.x up to 2.12.4

Exploitation Mechanism

The flaw in the Scala compilation daemon allows local users to overwrite class files, potentially leading to unauthorized privilege escalation.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-15288 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Scala to versions 2.10.7, 2.11.12, or 2.12.4 to mitigate the vulnerability.
Restrict access to sensitive directories to authorized users only.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit file permissions to prevent unauthorized access.
Educate users on secure coding practices and the importance of file access restrictions.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by Scala to address the vulnerability and enhance system security.