GLSA 200312-05: GnuPG: ElGamal signing keys compromised and format string vulnerability
Severity: | translation missing: en, label_glsa_minimal |
Title: | GnuPG: ElGamal signing keys compromised and format string vulnerability |
Date: | 12/12/2003 |
Bugs: |
|
ID: | 200312-05 |
Synopsis
A bug in GnuPG allows ElGamal signing keys to be compromised, and a format string bug in the gpgkeys_hkp utility may allow arbitrary code execution.Background
GnuPG is a popular open source signing and encryption tool.
Affected packages
Package | Vulnerable | Unaffected | Architecture(s) |
---|---|---|---|
app-crypt/gnupg | <= 1.2.3-r4 | >= 1.2.3-r5 | All supported architectures |
Description
Two flaws have been found in GnuPG 1.2.3.
First, ElGamal signing keys can be compromised. These keys are not commonly used, but this is "a significant security failure which can lead to a compromise of almost all ElGamal keys used for signing. Note that this is a real world vulnerability which will reveal your private key within a few seconds".
Second, there is a format string flaw in the 'gpgkeys_hkp' utility which "would allow a malicious keyserver in the worst case to execute an arbitrary code on the user's machine."
Impact
If you have used ElGamal keys for signing your private key can be compromised, and a malicious keyserver could remotely execute arbitrary code with the permissions of the user running gpgkeys_hkp.
Workaround
There is no known workaround at this time.
Resolution
All users who have created ElGamal signing keys should immediately revoke them. In addition, all Gentoo Linux machines with gnupg installed should be updated to use gnupg-1.2.3-r5 or higher:
# emerge sync # emerge -pv '>=app-crypt/gnupg-1.2.3-r5' # emerge '>=app-crypt/gnupg-1.2.3-r5' # emerge clean
References
Availability
This GLSA and any updates to it are available for viewing at the Gentoo Security Website:
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.
License
Copyright 2010 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.