GLSA 202403-04: XZ utils: Backdoor in release tarballs

http://security.gentoo.org/

Severity:	high
Title:	XZ utils: Backdoor in release tarballs
Date:	03/29/2024
Bugs:	#928134
ID:	202403-04

Synopsis

A backdoor has been discovered in XZ utils that could lead to remote compromise of systems.

Background

XZ Utils is free general-purpose data compression software with a high compression ratio.

Affected packages

Package	Vulnerable	Unaffected	Architecture(s)
app-arch/xz-utils	== 5.6.0	< 5.6.0	All supported architectures

Description

A backdoor has been discovered in XZ utils. Please review the CVE identifier referenced below for details.

Impact

Our current understanding of the backdoor is that is does not affect Gentoo systems, because 1. the backdoor only appears to be included on specific systems and Gentoo does not qualify; 2. the backdoor as it is currently understood targets OpenSSH patched to work with systemd-notify support. Gentoo does not support or include these patches; Analysis is still ongoing, however, and additional vectors may still be identified. For this reason we are still issuing this advisory as if that will be the case.

Workaround

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution

All XZ utils users should upgrade to the latest fixed version, or downgrade to the latest version before the backdoor was introduced:

          # emerge --sync
          # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">app-arch/xz-utils-5.6.1"


          # emerge --sync
          # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose "<app-arch/xz-utils-5.6.0"

References

CVE-2024-3094

Availability

This GLSA and any updates to it are available for viewing at the Gentoo Security Website: http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-202403-04.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.