Avahi: "netlink" message vulnerability

1. Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

Advisory Reference	GLSA 200611-13 / avahi
Release Date	November 20, 2006
Latest Revision	November 20, 2006: 01
Impact	normal
Exploitable	local

Package	Vulnerable versions	Unaffected versions	Architecture(s)
net-dns/avahi	< 0.6.15	>= 0.6.15	All supported architectures

Related bugreports: #154322

Synopsis

Avahi fails to verify the origin of netlink messages, which could allow local users to spoof network changes.

2. Impact Information

Background

Avahi is a system that facilitates service discovery on a local network.

Description

Avahi does not check that the netlink messages come from the kernel instead of a user-space process.

Impact

A local attacker could exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious netlink messages and trick Avahi to react to fake network changes. This could lead users to connect to untrusted services without knowing.

3. Resolution Information

Workaround

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution

All Avahi users should upgrade to the latest version:

Code Listing 3.1: Resolution

# emerge --sync
# emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=net-dns/avahi-0.6.15"

4. References

CVE-2006-5461

Updated November 20, 2006

Summary: This is a Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

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