GDM: Privilege escalation

Security Team  Contact Address

Updated June 12, 2006

1.  Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

Version Information

Advisory Reference GLSA 200606-14 / gdm
Release Date June 12, 2006
Latest Revision June 19, 2006: 02
Impact high
Exploitable local
Package Vulnerable versions Unaffected versions Architecture(s)
gnome-base/gdm < 2.8.0.8 >= 2.8.0.8 All supported architectures

Related bugreports: #135027

Synopsis

An authentication error in GDM could allow users to gain elevated privileges.

2.  Impact Information

Background

GDM is the GNOME display manager.

Description

GDM allows a normal user to access the configuration manager.

Impact

When the "face browser" in GDM is enabled, a normal user can use the "configure login manager" with his/her own password instead of the root password, and thus gain additional privileges.

3.  Resolution Information

Workaround

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution

All GDM users should upgrade to the latest version:

Code Listing 3.1: Resolution

# emerge --sync
# emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=gnome-base/gdm-2.8.0.8"

4.  References