Netatalk: Insecure tempfile handling in etc2ps.sh

1. Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

Advisory Reference	GLSA 200410-25 / Netatalk
Release Date	October 25, 2004
Latest Revision	October 25, 2004: 01
Impact	normal
Exploitable	local

Package	Vulnerable versions	Unaffected versions	Architecture(s)
net-fs/netatalk	< 1.6.4-r1	>= 1.6.4-r1	All supported architectures

Related bugreports: #66370

Synopsis

The etc2ps.sh script, included in the Netatalk package, is vulnerable to symlink attacks, potentially allowing a local user to overwrite arbitrary files with the rights of the user running the utility.

2. Impact Information

Background

Netatalk is a kernel level implementation of the AppleTalk Protocol Suite, which allows Unix hosts to act as file, print, and time servers for Apple computers. It includes several script utilities, including etc2ps.sh.

Description

The etc2ps.sh script 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 etc2ps.sh is executed, this would result in the file being overwritten with the rights of the user running the utility, which could be the root user.

3. Resolution Information

Workaround

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution

All Netatalk users should upgrade to the latest version:

Code Listing 3.1: Resolution

# emerge sync
# emerge -pv ">=net-fs/netatalk-1.6.4-r1"
# emerge ">=net-fs/netatalk-1.6.4-r1"

4. References

CAN-2004-0974

Page updated October 25, 2004

Summary: This is a Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

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