[200405-05] Utempter symlink vulnerability

[pahud]

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Gentoo Linux Security Advisory GLSA 200405-05
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http://security.gentoo.org/
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Severity: Normal
Title: Utempter symlink vulnerability
Date: May 13, 2004
Bugs: #49536
ID: 200405-05

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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
=================

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Package / Vulnerable / Unaffected
-------------------------------------------------------------------
1 sys-apps/utempter < 0.5.5.4 >= 0.5.5.4

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.cg ... -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