CVE-2019-11502 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

In versions of snapd prior to 2.38, a vulnerability existed in snap-confine that allowed unintended access to a confidential /tmp directory.

Understanding CVE-2019-11502

This CVE describes a security issue in snap-confine within snapd versions prior to 2.38.

What is CVE-2019-11502?

CVE-2019-11502 is a vulnerability in snap-confine that incorrectly assigned ownership of a snap application to the user ID and group ID of the first user making the call. This resulted in unauthorized access to a private /tmp directory.

The Impact of CVE-2019-11502

The vulnerability allowed a user to gain unintended access to a confidential /tmp directory, potentially leading to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-11502

This section provides more in-depth technical information about the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The issue in snap-confine before version 2.38 allowed the first calling user to gain unintended access to a private /tmp directory due to incorrect ownership assignment.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Versions affected: All versions prior to 2.38

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability was exploited by manipulating the ownership of a snap application, granting unauthorized access to a confidential /tmp directory.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2019-11502, follow these mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade snapd to version 2.38 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor access to sensitive directories for any unauthorized activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and applications to the latest versions to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Implement least privilege access controls to limit user permissions and access.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by snapd to fix the vulnerability and enhance system security.