CVE-2023-3972

Insights-client: unsafe handling of temporary files and directories

Published Nov 1, 2023 CVSS 3.1 · 7.8 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
A vulnerability was found in insights-client. This security issue occurs because of insecure file operations or unsafe handling of temporary files and directories that lead to local privilege escalation. Before the insights-client has been registered on the system by root, an unprivileged local user or attacker could create the /var/tmp/insights-client directory (owning the directory with read, write, and execute permissions) on the system. After the insights-client is registered by root, an attacker could then control the directory content that insights are using by putting malicious scripts into it and executing arbitrary code as root (trivially bypassing SELinux protections because insights processes are allowed to disable SELinux system-wide).

Remediation

Vendor Workaround

Red Hat has investigated whether a possible mitigation exists for this issue, and has not been able to identify a practical example. Please update the affected package as soon as possible.

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
EUVD EUVD EUVD-2023-44597 A vulnerability was found in insights-client. This security issue occurs because of insecure file operations or unsafe handling of temporary files and directories that lead to local privilege escalation. Before the insights-client has been registered on the system by root, an unprivileged local user or attacker could create the /var/tmp/insights-client directory (owning the directory with read, write, and execute permissions) on the system. After the insights-client is registered by root, an attacker could then control the directory content that insights are using by putting malicious scripts into it and executing arbitrary code as root (trivially bypassing SELinux protections because insights processes are allowed to disable SELinux system-wide).
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Redhat rhel Els
CPEs cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:6 cpe:/o:redhat:rhel_els:6
Vendors & Products Redhat rhel Els
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
redhat
Published
Updated
Nov 7, 2026, 11:32 AM
Reserved
Jul 27, 2023, 12:10 PM
Status
Modified
Published
Nov 1, 2023, 4:15 PM
Modified
Nov 7, 2026, 12:17 PM
Severity
Important
Public date
Nov 1, 2023, 11:00 AM