CVE-2019-18192 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

GNU Guix 1.0.1 allows local users to gain access to an arbitrary user's account due to insecure permissions on the user-profile directories.

Understanding CVE-2019-18192

An arbitrary user's account can be accessed by local users through GNU Guix 1.0.1 due to world-writable parent directory of the user-profile directories, similar to CVE-2019-17365.

What is CVE-2019-18192?

CVE-2019-18192 is a vulnerability in GNU Guix 1.0.1 that enables local users to access another user's account by exploiting world-writable parent directories of user-profile directories.

The Impact of CVE-2019-18192

This vulnerability allows unauthorized access to sensitive user accounts, potentially leading to data breaches, unauthorized modifications, or information disclosure.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-18192

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from the world-writable parent directory of user-profile directories in GNU Guix 1.0.1, facilitating unauthorized access to arbitrary user accounts.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: GNU Guix 1.0.1
Vendor: N/A
Version: N/A

Exploitation Mechanism

Local users can exploit the insecure permissions on user-profile directories to gain unauthorized access to arbitrary user accounts.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Restrict directory permissions to prevent unauthorized write access.
Regularly monitor and audit directory permissions for any unauthorized changes.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict user access rights.
Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches or updates provided by GNU Guix to address the vulnerability and enhance system security.