[ GLSA 200410-10 ] gettext: Insecure temporary file handling

From: Luke Macken (lewk_at_gentoo.org)
Date: 10/11/04

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    To: gentoo-announce@gentoo.org
Date: Sun, 10 Oct 2004 18:32:05 -0400

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    Gentoo Linux Security Advisory GLSA 200410-10
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                                                http://security.gentoo.org/
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      Severity: Low
         Title: gettext: Insecure temporary file handling
          Date: October 10, 2004
          Bugs: #66355
            ID: 200410-10

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    Synopsis
    ========

    The gettext utility is vulnerable to symlink attacks, potentially
    allowing a local user to overwrite or change permissions on arbitrary
    files with the rights of the user running gettext, which could be the
    root user.

    Background
    ==========

    gettext is a set of utilities for the GNU Translation Project which
    provides a set of tools and documentation to help produce multi-lingual
    messages in programs.

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

        -------------------------------------------------------------------
         Package / Vulnerable / Unaffected
        -------------------------------------------------------------------
      1 sys-devel/gettext < 0.12.1-r2 >= 0.12.1-r2

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

    gettext insecurely creates temporary files in world-writeable
    directories with predictable names.

    Impact
    ======

    A local attacker could create symbolic links in the temporary files
    directory, pointing to a valid file somewhere on the filesystem. When
    gettext is called, this would result in file access with the rights of
    the user running the utility, which could be the root user.

    Workaround
    ==========

    There is no known workaround at this time.

    Resolution
    ==========

    All gettext users should upgrade to the latest version:

        # emerge sync

        # emerge -pv ">=sys-devel/gettext-0.12.1-r2"
        # emerge ">=sys-devel/gettext-0.12.1.-r2"

    References
    ==========

      [ 1 ] BugTraq Advisory
            http://www.securityfocus.com/advisories/7263

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

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

      http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200410-10.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 Foundation, 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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