Utempter symlink vulnerability

1. Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

Package	Vulnerable versions	Unaffected versions	Architecture(s)
sys-apps/utempter	< 0.5.5.4	>= 0.5.5.4	All supported architectures

Related bugreports: #49536

Utempter contains a vulnerability that may allow local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack.

2. Impact Information

Utempter is an application that allows non-privileged apps to write utmp (login) info, which otherwise needs root access.

Utempter contains a vulnerability that may allow local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack.

This vulnerability may allow arbitrary files to be overwritten with root privileges.

3. Resolution Information

There is no known workaround at this time. All users are advised to upgrade to the latest available version of utempter.

All users of utempter should upgrade to the latest stable version:

Code Listing 3.1: Resolution

# emerge sync
# emerge -pv ">=sys-apps/utempter-0.5.5.4"
# emerge ">=sys-apps/utempter-0.5.5.4"

4. References

Updated May 13, 2004

Summary: This is a Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

Security Team
Contact Address

Donate to support our development efforts.