CVE-2020-10174: Race Condition
inittmp in TeeJee.FileSystem.vala in Timeshift before 20.03 unsafely reuses a preexisting temporary directory in the predictable location /tmp/timeshift. It follows symlinks in this location or uses directories owned by unprivileged users. Because Timeshift also executes scripts under this location, an attacker can attempt to win a race condition to replace scripts created by Timeshift with attacker-controlled scripts. Upon success, an attacker-controlled script is executed with full root privileges. This logic is practically always triggered when Timeshift runs regardless of the command-line arguments used.
Affected Software
Remediation
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2020-10174?
CVE-2020-10174 has a medium severity rating due to its potential to allow unauthorized actions through symlink attacks.
How do I fix CVE-2020-10174?
To fix CVE-2020-10174, you should update Timeshift to version 20.03 or later.
What software is affected by CVE-2020-10174?
CVE-2020-10174 affects Timeshift versions below 20.03 on Ubuntu, Debian, and Fedora systems.
What conditions lead to CVE-2020-10174 exploitation?
Exploitation of CVE-2020-10174 can occur when Timeshift reuses a predictable temporary directory that can be manipulated by unprivileged users.
What are the potential consequences of CVE-2020-10174?
The potential consequences of CVE-2020-10174 include unauthorized execution of scripts that could compromise system security.