Gentoo Linux Advisory: Utempter

Gentoo Linux Security Advisory GLSA 200405-05

http://security.gentoo.org/

Severity: Normal
Title: Utempter symlink vulnerability
Date: May 13, 2004
Bugs: #49536
ID: 200405-05

Synopsis

Utempter contains a vulnerability that may allow local users to
overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack.

Background

Utempter is an application that allows non-privileged apps to
write utmp (login) info, which otherwise needs root access.

Affected packages

Description

Utempter contains a vulnerability that may allow local users to
overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack.

Impact

This vulnerability may allow arbitrary files to be overwritten
with root privileges.

Workaround

There is no known workaround at this time. All users are advised
to upgrade to the latest available version of utempter.

Resolution

All users of utempter should upgrade to the latest stable
version:

    # emerge sync
    # emerge -pv ">=sys-apps/utempter-0.5.5.4"
    # emerge ">=sys-apps/utempter-0.5.5.4"

References

[ 1 ] CAN-2004-0233

http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CAN-2004-0233

Availability

This GLSA and any updates to it are available for viewing at the
Gentoo Security Website:

http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200405-05.xml

Concerns?

Security is a primary focus of Gentoo Linux and ensuring the
confidentiality and security of our users machines is of utmost
importance to us. Any security concerns should be addressed to
security@gentoo.org or
alternatively, you may file a bug at http://bugs.gentoo.org.

License

Copyright 2004 Gentoo Technologies, Inc; referenced text belongs
to its owner(s).

The contents of this document are licensed under the Creative
Commons – Attribution / Share Alike license.

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/1.0