CVE-2009-5042: Insecure Usage of Temporary Files in python-docutils
Summary
CVE-2009-5042: python-docutils allows insecure usage of temporary files. Affects docutils versions >= 0.5, < 0.6. Fixed in 0.6. How to fix ↓
Also tracked for
- python-docutils · Debian:11
The same CVE-2009-5042 is tracked separately for each ecosystem and vendor. Its fix information is the same; the package and affected versions differ.
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Background
python-docutils is a Python package that provides tools for parsing and processing plaintext documentation. It is commonly used in various projects to generate documentation in different formats, such as HTML, LaTeX, and XML. This vulnerability in python-docutils allows for insecure usage of temporary files, which can lead to unauthorized access, information disclosure, or remote code execution.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability arises from the insecure handling of temporary files by python-docutils. When processing documentation, the package creates temporary files without proper security measures, such as setting appropriate file permissions or using secure file naming conventions. This can allow an attacker to manipulate or replace these temporary files, potentially leading to the execution of arbitrary code or the exposure of sensitive information.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
0.6
This is the first release that contains the fix.
pip install --upgrade "docutils==0.6"Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, users can manually modify the code to ensure secure handling of temporary files. This can be achieved by setting appropriate file permissions and using secure file naming conventions. Here is an example of how to securely create a temporary file in Python:
import tempfile
with tempfile.NamedTemporaryFile(delete=False, mode='w', prefix='secure_', dir='/tmp') as temp_file: # Perform operations on the temporary file temp_file.write('Secure temporary file')
This code snippet creates a temporary file with secure permissions and a secure file name prefix.
Conclusion
In summary, python-docutils is vulnerable to insecure usage of temporary files, which can lead to unauthorized access, information disclosure, or remote code execution. It is crucial to update the package to version 0.6 or later to mitigate this vulnerability. For further assistance or support in vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for docutils →
FAQ
This vulnerability can allow an attacker to manipulate or replace temporary files created by python-docutils. This can lead to unauthorized access, information disclosure, or remote code execution.
At the time of this advisory, there are no known public exploits targeting this specific vulnerability. However, it is important to promptly apply the recommended fixes to mitigate the risk.
No, only versions prior to 0.6 are affected by this vulnerability. It is recommended to update to version 0.6 or later to address the issue.
Yes, this vulnerability can be exploited remotely if an attacker can manipulate or replace the temporary files created by python-docutils. This can be done through various attack vectors, such as tricking a user into opening a specially crafted document.
Yes, the CVSS score for this vulnerability is 9.1, indicating a critical severity level.
