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Gentoo: 200411-13 Normal: Symlink Overwrite Threat in Portage & Gentoolkit

dispatch-conf (included in Portage) and qpkg (included in Gentoolkit) are vulnerable to symlink attacks, potentially allowing a local user to overwrite arbitrary files with the rights of the user running the script. [More...]. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Gentoo Linux Security Advisory GLSA 200411-13:01 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - https://security.gentoo.org/ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Severity: Normal Title: Portage, Gentoolkit: Temporary file vulnerabilities Date: November 07, 2004 Bugs: #68846, #69147 ID: 200411-13:01 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Synopsis ======= dispatch-conf (included in Portage) and qpkg (included in Gentoolkit) are vulnerable to symlink attacks, potentially allowing a local user to overwrite arbitrary files with the rights of the user running the script. Background ========= Portage is Gentoo's package management tool. The dispatch-conf utility allows for easy rollback of configuration file changes and automatic updates of configurations files never modified by users. Gentoolkit is a collection of Gentoo specific administration scripts, one of which is the portage querying tool qpkg. Affected packages ================ ------------------------------------------------------------------- Package / Vulnerable / Unaffected ------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 sys-apps/portage = 2.0.51-r3 2 app-portage/gentoolkit = 0.2.0_pre10-r1 *> = 0.2.0_pre8-r1 ------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 affected packages on all of their supported architectures. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Description ========== dispatch-conf and qpkg use predictable filenames for temporary files. Impact ===== A local attacker could create symbolic links in the temporary files directory, pointing to a valid file somewhere on the filesystem. When an affected script is called, this would result in the file to be overwritten with the rights of the user running the dispatch-conf or qpkg, which could be the root user. Workaround ========= There is no known workaround at this time. Resolution ========= All Portage users should upgrade to the latest version: # emerge --sync # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose "> =sys-apps/portage-2.0.51-r3" All Gentoolkit users should upgrade to the latest version: # emerge --sync # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose "> =app-portage/gentoolkit-0.2.0_pre8-r1" Availability =========== This GLSA and any updates to it are available for viewing at the Gentoo Security Website: https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/200411-13 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 2004 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/1.0/ . Addressing symbolic link complications affecting Gentoo's Portage and Gentoolkit can unlock advanced functionalities. A comprehensive guide to necessary updates is provided within.. Gentoo Security, Symlink Exploit, Portage Manager, Gentoolkit Update. . LinuxSecurity.com Team

Nov 07, 2004 Gentoo