[ GLSA 200510-04 ] Texinfo: Insecure temporary file creation

[Thierry Carrez <koon () gentoo org>]

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Gentoo Linux Security Advisory                           GLSA 200510-04
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                                            http://security.gentoo.org/
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  Severity: Normal
     Title: Texinfo: Insecure temporary file creation
      Date: October 05, 2005
      Bugs: #106105
        ID: 200510-04

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Synopsis
========

Texinfo is vulnerable to symlink attacks, potentially allowing a local
user to overwrite arbitrary files.

Background
==========

Texinfo is the official documentation system created by the GNU
project.

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

    -------------------------------------------------------------------
     Package           /  Vulnerable  /                     Unaffected
    -------------------------------------------------------------------
  1  sys-apps/texinfo      < 4.8-r1                          >= 4.8-r1

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

Frank Lichtenheld has discovered that the "sort_offline()" function in
texindex insecurely creates temporary files with predictable filenames.

Impact
======

A local attacker could create symbolic links in the temporary files
directory, pointing to a valid file somewhere on the filesystem. When
texindex is executed, this would result in the file being overwritten
with the rights of the user running the application.

Workaround
==========

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution
==========

All Texinfo users should upgrade to the latest version:

    # emerge --sync
    # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=sys-apps/texinfo-4.8-r1"

References
==========

  [ 1 ] CAN-2005-3011
        http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CAN-2005-3011

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

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

  http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200510-04.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 2005 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/2.0

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