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Red Hat RHSA-2001:074-03 Moderate: Ispell Symlink Threat

The ispell program uses mktemp() to open temporary files - this makes itvulnerable to symlink attacks.. ` --------------------------------------------------------------------- Red Hat, Inc. Red Hat Security Advisory Synopsis: Updated ispell packages available for Red Hat Linux 5.2 and 6.2 Advisory ID: RHSA-2001:074-03 Issue date: 2001-05-30 Updated on: 2001-06-04 Product: Red Hat Linux Keywords: ispell mkstemp mktemp symlink Cross references: Obsoletes: --------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Topic: The ispell program uses mktemp() to open temporary files - this makes it vulnerable to symlink attacks. 2. Relevant releases/architectures: Red Hat Linux 5.2 - alpha, i386, sparc Red Hat Linux 6.2 - alpha, i386, sparc 3. Problem description: The ispell program uses mktemp() to open temporary files - this makes it vulnerable to symlink attacks. This version now uses mkstemp(), and also switches from gets() to fgets() in two locations dealing with user input. The patches for ispell are from OpenBSD. 4. Solution: Before applying this update, make sure all previously released errata relevant to your system have been applied. To update all RPMs for your particular architecture, run: rpm -Fvh [filenames] where [filenames] is a list of the RPMs you wish to upgrade. Only those RPMs which are currently installed will be updated. Those RPMs which are not installed but included in the list will not be updated. Note that you can also use wildcards (*.rpm) if your current directory *only* contains the desired RPMs. Please note that this update is also available via Red Hat Network. Many people find this an easier way to apply updates. To use Red Hat Network, launch the Red Hat Update Agent with the following command: up2date This will start an interactive process that will result in the appropriate RPMs being upgraded on your system. 5. Bug IDs fixed ( for more info): 42210 - ispell usesmktemp/fopen for tempfiles. 6. RPMs required: Red Hat Linux 5.2: SRPMS: alpha: m i386: sparc: m Red Hat Linux 6.2: SRPMS: alpha:

Jun 05, 2001 •Important Red Hat