CVE-2020-25031 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Checkinstall 1.6.2, when used to create a package that contains a symlink, may trigger the creation of a mode 0777 executable file.

Understanding CVE-2020-25031

This CVE involves a vulnerability in checkinstall 1.6.2 that can lead to the creation of a mode 0777 executable file when generating a package with a symlink.

What is CVE-2020-25031?

The CVE-2020-25031 vulnerability occurs in checkinstall 1.6.2 due to improper handling of symlinks during package creation, resulting in the unintended creation of executable files with insecure permissions.

The Impact of CVE-2020-25031

The vulnerability can potentially allow an attacker to create malicious executable files with excessive permissions, leading to unauthorized access and potential system compromise.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-25031

Checkinstall 1.6.2 vulnerability details and affected systems.

Vulnerability Description

Checkinstall 1.6.2 vulnerability triggers the creation of mode 0777 executable files when generating packages with symlinks.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Version: Not applicable

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting a package with a symlink, leading to the unintended creation of executable files with insecure permissions.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to mitigate and prevent the CVE-2020-25031 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Avoid using checkinstall 1.6.2 to create packages containing symlinks.
Regularly monitor for any unauthorized executable files with mode 0777 permissions.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement secure coding practices to prevent symlink-related vulnerabilities.
Conduct regular security audits to identify and address potential security flaws.

Patching and Updates

Update to a patched version of checkinstall to mitigate the vulnerability and prevent the creation of insecure executable files.