CVE-2023-3972

Insights-client: unsafe handling of temporary files and directories

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

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.

Categories

7.8
CVSS
Severity: High
CVSS 3.1 •
EPSS 0.01%
Vendor Advisory redhat.com Vendor Advisory redhat.com Vendor Advisory redhat.com Vendor Advisory redhat.com Vendor Advisory redhat.com Vendor Advisory redhat.com Vendor Advisory redhat.com Vendor Advisory redhat.com Vendor Advisory redhat.com Vendor Advisory redhat.com
Affected: Red Hat Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
Affected: Red Hat Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
Affected: Red Hat Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.1 Update Services for SAP Solutions
Affected: Red Hat Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.2 Advanced Update Support
Affected: Red Hat Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.2 Telecommunications Update Service
Affected: Red Hat Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.2 Update Services for SAP Solutions
Affected: Red Hat Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.4 Advanced Mission Critical Update Support
Affected: Red Hat Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.4 Telecommunications Update Service
Affected: Red Hat Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.4 Update Services for SAP Solutions
Affected: Red Hat Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.6 Extended Update Support
Affected: Red Hat Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9
Affected: Red Hat Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9.0 Extended Update Support
Affected: Red Hat Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
Published at:
Updated at:

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the severity of CVE-2023-3972?
CVE-2023-3972 has been scored as a high severity vulnerability.
How to fix CVE-2023-3972?
As a workaround for remediating CVE-2023-3972: 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.
Is CVE-2023-3972 being actively exploited in the wild?
As for now, there are no information to confirm that CVE-2023-3972 is being actively exploited. According to its EPSS score, there is a ~0% probability that this vulnerability will be exploited by malicious actors in the next 30 days.
What software or system is affected by CVE-2023-3972?
CVE-2023-3972 affects Red Hat Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7, Red Hat Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8, Red Hat Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.1 Update Services for SAP Solutions, Red Hat Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.2 Advanced Update Support, Red Hat Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.2 Telecommunications Update Service, Red Hat Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.2 Update Services for SAP Solutions, Red Hat Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.4 Advanced Mission Critical Update Support, Red Hat Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.4 Telecommunications Update Service, Red Hat Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.4 Update Services for SAP Solutions, Red Hat Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.6 Extended Update Support, Red Hat Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9, Red Hat Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9.0 Extended Update Support, Red Hat Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.
This platform uses data from the NIST NVD, MITRE CVE, MITRE CWE, First.org and CISA KEV but is not endorsed or certified by these entities. CVE is a registred trademark of the MITRE Corporation and the authoritative source of CVE content is MITRE's CVE web site. CWE is a registred trademark of the MITRE Corporation and the authoritative source of CWE content is MITRE's CWE web site.
© 2025 Under My Watch. All Rights Reserved.