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Gentoo Linux Security Advisory                           GLSA 201009-08
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                                            https://security.gentoo.org/
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  Severity: High
     Title: python-updater: Untrusted search path
      Date: September 21, 2010
      Bugs: #288361
        ID: 201009-08

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Synopsis
=======
An untrusted search path vulnerability in python-updater might result
in the execution of arbitrary code.

Background
=========
python-updater is a script used to remerge python packages when
changing Python version.

Affected packages
================
    -------------------------------------------------------------------
     Package                   /  Vulnerable  /             Unaffected
    -------------------------------------------------------------------
  1  app-admin/python-updater      < 0.7-r1                  >= 0.7-r1

Description
==========
Robert Buchholz of the Gentoo Security Team reported that
python-updater includes the current working directory and
subdirectories in the Python module search path (sys.path) before
calling "import".

Impact
=====
A local attacker could entice the root user to run "python-updater"
from a directory containing a specially crafted Python module,
resulting in the execution of arbitrary code with root privileges.

Workaround
=========
Do not run "python-updater" from untrusted working directories.

Resolution
=========
All python-updater users should upgrade to the latest version:

    # emerge --sync
    # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=app-admin/python-updater-0.7-r1"

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

  https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201009-08

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
https://bugs.gentoo.org.

License
======
Copyright 2010 Gentoo Foundation, Inc; referenced text
belongs to its owner(s).

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

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/