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Gentoo: GLSA-200711-32 Normal: Feynmf Symlink Attack Overview

A vulnerability has been discovered in Feynmf allowing local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack.. -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Gentoo Linux Security Advisory GLSA 200711-32 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - https://security.gentoo.org/ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Severity: Normal Title: Feynmf: Insecure temporary file creation Date: November 20, 2007 Bugs: #198231 ID: 200711-32 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Synopsis ======= A vulnerability has been discovered in Feynmf allowing local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack. Background ========= Feynmf is a combined LaTeX and Metafont package for easy drawing of professional quality Feynman (and maybe other) diagrams. Affected packages ================ ------------------------------------------------------------------- Package / Vulnerable / Unaffected ------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 dev-tex/feynmf < 1.08-r2 > = 1.08-r2 Description ========== Kevin B. McCarty discovered that the feynmf.pl script creates a temporary "properly list" file at the location "$TMPDIR/feynmf$PID.pl", where $PID is the process ID. Impact ===== A local attacker could create symbolic links in the directory where the temporary files are written, pointing to a valid file somewhere on the filesystem that is writable by the user running Feynmf. When Feynmf writes the temporary file, the target valid file would then be overwritten with the contents of the Feynmf temporary file. Workaround ========= There is no known workaround at this time. Resolution ========= All Feynmf users should upgrade to the latest version: #emerge --sync # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose "> =dev-tex/feynmf-1.08-r2" References ========= [ 1 ] CVE-2007-5940 https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2007-5940 Availability =========== This GLSA and any updates to it are available for viewing at the Gentoo Security Website: https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/200711-32 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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or alternatively, you may file a bug at https://bugs.gentoo.org/. License ====== Copyright 2007 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/ -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.7 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Using GnuPG with Mozilla - iD8DBQFHQ2B8uhJ+ozIKI5gRAuCDAJ9G/yQeobVm4DkhwdyeVkmIyntbGwCgnVYw V4uWftTIfQRuyitNYI09vjg=2KBf -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- . A flaw in Grackin permits privileged users to manipulate files via symlink exploits, necessitating prompt intervention.. Feynmf Security Fix,Gentoo Advisory,File Overwrite Threat. . LinuxSecurity.com Team

Nov 20, 2007 Gentoo