dstat: Untrusted search path

1. Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

Advisory Reference	GLSA 200911-04 / dstat
Release Date	November 25, 2009
Latest Revision	November 25, 2009: 01
Impact	normal
Exploitable	local

Package	Vulnerable versions	Unaffected versions	Architecture(s)
sys-apps/dstat	< 0.6.9-r1	>= 0.6.9-r1	All supported architectures

Related bugreports: #293497

Synopsis

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

2. Impact Information

Background

dstat is a versatile system resource monitor written in Python.

Description

Robert Buchholz of the Gentoo Security Team reported that dstat includes the current working directory and subdirectories in the Python module search path (sys.path) before calling "import".

Impact

A local attacker could entice a user to run "dstat" from a directory containing a specially crafted Python module, resulting in the execution of arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the application.

3. Resolution Information

Workaround

Do not run "dstat" from untrusted working directories.

Resolution

All dstat users should upgrade to the latest version:

Code Listing 3.1: Resolution

# emerge --sync
# emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=sys-apps/dstat-0.6.9-r1"

4. References

CVE-2009-3894

Page updated November 25, 2009

Summary: This is a Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

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