Valgrind: Untrusted search path

1. Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

Advisory Reference	GLSA 200902-03 / valgrind
Release Date	February 12, 2009
Latest Revision	February 12, 2009: 01
Impact	high
Exploitable	local

Package	Vulnerable versions	Unaffected versions	Architecture(s)
dev-util/valgrind	< 3.4.0	>= 3.4.0	All supported architectures

Related bugreports: #245317

Synopsis

An untrusted search path vulnerability in Valgrind might result in the execution of arbitrary code.

2. Impact Information

Background

Valgrind is an open-source memory debugger.

Description

Tavis Ormandy reported that Valgrind loads a .valgrindrc file in the current working directory, executing commands specified there.

Impact

A local attacker could prepare a specially crafted .valgrindrc file and entice a user to run Valgrind from the directory containing that file, resulting in the execution of arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running Valgrind.

3. Resolution Information

Workaround

Do not run "valgrind" from untrusted working directories.

Resolution

All Valgrind users should upgrade to the latest version:

Code Listing 3.1: Resolution

# emerge --sync
# emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=dev-util/valgrind-3.4.0"

4. References

CVE-2008-4865

Page updated February 12, 2009

Summary: This is a Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

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