gedit: Untrusted search path

1. Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

Advisory Reference	GLSA 200903-41 / gedit
Release Date	March 30, 2009
Latest Revision	March 30, 2009: 01
Impact	normal
Exploitable	local

Package	Vulnerable versions	Unaffected versions	Architecture(s)
app-editors/gedit	< 2.24.3	revision >= 2.22.3-r1, >= 2.24.3	All supported architectures

Related bugreports: #257004

Synopsis

A vulnerability in gedit might allow local attackers to execute arbitrary code.

2. Impact Information

Background

gedit is a text editor for the GNOME desktop.

Description

James Vega reported that gedit uses the current working directory when searching for python modules, a vulnerability related to CVE-2008-5983.

Impact

A local attacker could entice a user to open gedit from a specially crafted environment, possibly resulting in the execution of arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the application.

3. Resolution Information

Workaround

Do not run gedit from untrusted working directories.

Resolution

All gedit 2.22.x users should upgrade to the latest version:

Code Listing 3.1: Resolution

# emerge --sync
# emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=app-editors/gedit-2.22.3-r1"

All gedit 2.24.x users should upgrade to the latest version:

Code Listing 3.2: Resolution

# emerge --sync
# emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=app-editors/gedit-2.24.3"

4. References

Page updated March 30, 2009

Summary: This is a Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

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