[200405-20] MySQL Insecure tmp file

[pahud]

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Gentoo Linux Security Advisory GLSA 200405-20
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http://security.gentoo.org/
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Severity: Normal
Title: Insecure Temporary File Creation In MySQL
Date: May 25, 2004
Bugs: #46242
ID: 200405-20

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Synopsis
========

Two MySQL utilities create temporary files with hardcoded paths,
allowing an attacker to use a symlink to trick MySQL into overwriting
important data.

Background
==========

MySQL is a popular open-source multi-threaded, multi-user SQL database
server.

Affected packages
=================

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Package / Vulnerable / Unaffected
-------------------------------------------------------------------
1 dev-db/mysql < 4.0.18-r2 >= 4.0.18-r2

Description
===========

The MySQL bug reporting utility (mysqlbug) creates a temporary file to
log bug reports to. A malicious local user with write access to the
/tmp directory could create a symbolic link of the name mysqlbug-N
pointing to a protected file, such as /etc/passwd, such that when
mysqlbug creates the Nth log file, it would end up overwriting the
target file. A similar vulnerability exists with the mysql_multi
utility, which creates a temporary file called mysql_multi.log.

Impact
======

Since mysql_multi runs as root, a local attacker could use this to
destroy any other users' data or corrupt and destroy system files.

Workaround
==========

One could modify both scripts to log to a directory that users do not
have write permission to, such as /var/log/mysql/.

Resolution
==========

All users should upgrade to the latest stable version of MySQL.

# emerge sync

# emerge -pv ">=dev-db/mysql-4.0.18-r2"
# emerge ">=dev-db/mysql-4.0.18-r2"

References
==========

[ 1 ] CAN-2004-0381
http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cg ... -2004-0381
[ 2 ] CAN-2004-0388
http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cg ... -2004-0388

Availability
============

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

http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200405-20.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

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