[gentoo-announce] [ GLSA 200409-32 ] getmail: Filesystem overwrite vulnerability

[Sune Kloppenborg Jeppesen <jaervosz@gentoo.org>]

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Gentoo Linux Security Advisory                           GLSA 200409-32
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                                            http://security.gentoo.org/
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  Severity: High
     Title: getmail: Filesystem overwrite vulnerability
      Date: September 23, 2004
      Bugs: #64643
        ID: 200409-32

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Synopsis
========

getmail contains a vulnerability that could potentially allow any local
user to create or overwrite files in any directory on the system. This
flaw can be escalated further and possibly lead to a complete system
compromise.

Background
==========

getmail is a reliable fetchmail replacement that supports Maildir,
Mboxrd and external MDA delivery.

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

    -------------------------------------------------------------------
     Package           /  Vulnerable  /                     Unaffected
    -------------------------------------------------------------------
  1  net-mail/getmail       < 4.2.0                           >= 4.2.0

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

David Watson discovered a vulnerability in getmail when it is
configured to run as root and deliver mail to the maildirs/mbox files
of untrusted local users. A malicious local user can then exploit a
race condition, or a similar symlink attack, and potentially cause
getmail to create or overwrite files in any directory on the system.

Impact
======

An untrusted local user could potentially create or overwrite files in
any directory on the system. This vulnerability may also be exploited
to have arbitrary commands executed as root.

Workaround
==========

Do not run getmail as a privileged user; or, in version 4, use an
external MDA with explicitly configured user and group privileges.

Resolution
==========

All getmail users should upgrade to the latest version:

    # emerge sync

    # emerge -pv ">=net-mail/getmail-4.2.0"
    # emerge ">=net-mail/getmail-4.2.0"

References
==========

  [ 1 ] getmail ChangeLog
        http://www.qcc.ca/~charlesc/software/getmail-4/CHANGELOG
  [ 2 ] getmail Mailing List
        http://article.gmane.org/gmane.mail.getmail.user/1430

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

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

  http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200409-32.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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