gtkdiskfree: Insecure temporary file creation

1. Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

Advisory Reference	GLSA 200510-01 / gtkdiskfree
Release Date	October 03, 2005
Latest Revision	October 03, 2005: 01
Impact	normal
Exploitable	local

Package	Vulnerable versions	Unaffected versions	Architecture(s)
app-admin/gtkdiskfree	< 1.9.3-r1	>= 1.9.3-r1	All supported architectures

Related bugreports: #104565

Synopsis

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

2. Impact Information

Background

gtkdiskfree is a GTK-based GUI to show free disk space.

Description

Eric Romang discovered that gtkdiskfree insecurely creates a predictable temporary file to handle command output.

Impact

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

3. Resolution Information

Workaround

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution

All gtkdiskfree users should upgrade to the latest version:

Code Listing 3.1: Resolution

# emerge --sync
# emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=app-admin/gtkdiskfree-1.9.3-r1"

4. References

Updated October 03, 2005

Summary: This is a Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

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