Logwatch: Arbitrary code execution

1. Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

Advisory Reference	GLSA 201203-20 / Logwatch
Release Date	March 28, 2012
Latest Revision	March 28, 2012: 1
Impact	high
Exploitable	remote

Package	Vulnerable versions	Unaffected versions	Architecture(s)
sys-apps/logwatch	< 7.4.0	>= 7.4.0	All supported architectures

Related bugreports: #356387

Synopsis

A vulnerability in Logwatch might allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code.

2. Impact Information

Background

Logwatch analyzes and reports on system logs.

Description

logwatch.pl does not properly sanitize log filenames against shell metacharacters before passing them to the "system()" function.

Impact

A remote attacker could pass a specially crafted log filename to Logwatch, possibly resulting in execution of arbitrary code with root privileges or a Denial of Service condition.

3. Resolution Information

Workaround

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution

All Logwatch users should upgrade to the latest version:

Code Listing 3.1: Resolution

  # emerge --sync
  # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=sys-apps/logwatch-7.4.0"

4. References

CVE-2011-1018

Page updated March 28, 2012

Summary: This is a Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

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