[gentoo-announce] [ GLSA 200804-12 ] gnome-screensaver: Privilege escalation

[news 28]

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Gentoo Linux Security Advisory GLSA 200804-12

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http://security.gentoo.org/

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Severity: Normal

Title: gnome-screensaver: Privilege escalation

Date: April 11, 2008

Bugs: #213940

ID: 200804-12

 

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Synopsis

========

 

gnome-screensaver allows local users to bypass authentication under

certain configurations.

 

Background

==========

 

gnome-screensaver is a screensaver, designed to integrate with the

Gnome desktop, that can replace xscreensaver.

 

Affected packages

=================

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Package / Vulnerable / Unaffected

-------------------------------------------------------------------

1 gnome-extra/gnome-screensaver < 2.20.0-r3 >= 2.20.0-r3

 

Description

===========

 

gnome-screensaver incorrectly handles the results of the getpwuid()

function in the file src/setuid.c when using directory servers (like

NIS) during a network outage, a similar issue to GLSA 200705-14.

 

Impact

======

 

A local user can crash gnome-xscreensaver by preventing network

connectivity if the system uses a remote directory service for

credentials such as NIS or LDAP, which will unlock the screen.

 

Workaround

==========

 

There is no known workaround at this time.

 

Resolution

==========

 

All gnome-screensaver users should upgrade to the latest version:

 

# emerge --sync

# emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=gnome-extra/gnome-screensaver-2.20.0-r3"

 

References

==========

 

[ 1 ] CVE-2008-0887

http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2008-0887

[ 2 ] GLSA 200705-14

http://www.gentoo.org/security/en/glsa/glsa-200705-14.xml

 

Availability

============

 

This GLSA and any updates to it are available for viewing at

the Gentoo Security Website:

 

http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200804-12.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 ( -at -) gentoo.org or alternatively, you may file a bug at

http://bugs.gentoo.org.

 

License

=======

 

Copyright 2008 Gentoo Foundation, Inc; referenced text

belongs to its owner(s).

 

The contents of this document are licensed under the

Creative Commons - Attribution / Share Alike license.

 

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5