GLSA 201707-12: MAN DB: Privilege escalation

http://security.gentoo.org/

Severity:	high
Title:	MAN DB: Privilege escalation
Date:	07/09/2017
Bugs:	#602588
ID:	201707-12

Synopsis

A vulnerability in MAN DB allows local users to gain root privileges.

Background

MAN DB is a man replacement that utilizes BerkelyDB instead of flat files.

Affected packages

Package	Vulnerable	Unaffected	Architecture(s)
sys-apps/man-db	< 2.7.6.1-r2	>= 2.7.6.1-r2	All supported architectures

Description

The /var/cache/man directory as part of the MAN DB package has group permissions set to root.

Impact

A local user who does not belong to the root group, but has the ability to modify the /var/cache/man directory can escalate privileges to the group root.

Workaround

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution

All MAN DB users should upgrade to the latest version:

      # emerge --sync
      # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=sys-apps/man-db-2.7.6.1-r2"

References

CVE-2015-1336

Availability

This GLSA and any updates to it are available for viewing at the Gentoo Security Website: http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-201707-12.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@gentoo.org or alternatively, you may file a bug at https://bugs.gentoo.org.