GLSA 200406-18: gzip: Insecure creation of temporary files

http://security.gentoo.org/

Severity:	normal
Title:	gzip: Insecure creation of temporary files
Date:	06/24/2004
Bugs:	#54890
ID:	200406-18

Synopsis

gzip contain a bug potentially allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary commands.

Background

gzip (GNU zip) is popular compression program. The included gzexe utility allows you to compress executables in place and have them automatically uncompress and execute when you run them.

Affected packages

Package	Vulnerable	Unaffected	Architecture(s)
app-arch/gzip	<= 1.3.3-r3	>= 1.3.3-r4	All supported architectures

Description

The script gzexe included with gzip contains a bug in the code that handles tempfile creation. If the creation of a temp file fails when using gzexe fails instead of bailing out it executes the command given as argument.

Impact

This could lead to priviege escalation by running commands under the rights of the user running the self extracting file.

Workaround

There is no known workaround at this time. All users are encouraged to upgrade to the latest available version.

Resolution

All gzip users should upgrade to the latest stable version:

    # emerge sync
    
    # emerge -pv ">=app-arch/gzip-1.3.3-r4"
    # emerge ">=app-arch/gzip-1.3.3-r4"

Additionally, once the upgrade is complete, all self extracting files created with earlier versions gzexe should be recreated, since the vulnerability is actually embedded in those executables.

References

CVE-2004-0603

Availability

This GLSA and any updates to it are available for viewing at the Gentoo Security Website: http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200406-18.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.