GLSA 200409-32: getmail: Filesystem overwrite vulnerability

http://security.gentoo.org/

Severity:	high
Title:	getmail: Filesystem overwrite vulnerability
Date:	09/23/2004
Bugs:	#64643
ID:	200409-32

Synopsis

getmail contains a vulnerability that could potentially allow any local user to create or overwrite files in any directory on the system. This flaw can be escalated further and possibly lead to a complete system compromise.

Background

getmail is a reliable fetchmail replacement that supports Maildir, Mboxrd and external MDA delivery.

Affected packages

Package	Vulnerable	Unaffected	Architecture(s)
net-mail/getmail	< 4.2.0	>= 4.2.0	All supported architectures

Description

David Watson discovered a vulnerability in getmail when it is configured to run as root and deliver mail to the maildirs/mbox files of untrusted local users. A malicious local user can then exploit a race condition, or a similar symlink attack, and potentially cause getmail to create or overwrite files in any directory on the system.

Impact

An untrusted local user could potentially create or overwrite files in any directory on the system. This vulnerability may also be exploited to have arbitrary commands executed as root.

Workaround

Do not run getmail as a privileged user; or, in version 4, use an external MDA with explicitly configured user and group privileges.

Resolution

All getmail users should upgrade to the latest version:

    # emerge sync
    
    # emerge -pv ">=net-mail/getmail-4.2.0"
    # emerge ">=net-mail/getmail-4.2.0"

References

Availability

This GLSA and any updates to it are available for viewing at the Gentoo Security Website: http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200409-32.xml

Concerns?

Security is a primary focus of Gentoo Linux and ensuring the confidentiality and security of our users machines is of utmost importance to us. Any security concerns should be addressed to security@gentoo.org or alternatively, you may file a bug at https://bugs.gentoo.org.