GLSA 200405-20: Insecure Temporary File Creation In MySQL

http://security.gentoo.org/

Severity:	normal
Title:	Insecure Temporary File Creation In MySQL
Date:	05/25/2004
Bugs:	#46242
ID:	200405-20

Synopsis

Two MySQL utilities create temporary files with hardcoded paths, allowing an attacker to use a symlink to trick MySQL into overwriting important data.

Background

MySQL is a popular open-source multi-threaded, multi-user SQL database server.

Affected packages

Package	Vulnerable	Unaffected	Architecture(s)
dev-db/mysql	< 4.0.18-r2	>= 4.0.18-r2	All supported architectures

Description

The MySQL bug reporting utility (mysqlbug) creates a temporary file to log bug reports to. A malicious local user with write access to the /tmp directory could create a symbolic link of the name mysqlbug-N pointing to a protected file, such as /etc/passwd, such that when mysqlbug creates the Nth log file, it would end up overwriting the target file. A similar vulnerability exists with the mysql_multi utility, which creates a temporary file called mysql_multi.log.

Impact

Since mysql_multi runs as root, a local attacker could use this to destroy any other users' data or corrupt and destroy system files.

Workaround

One could modify both scripts to log to a directory that users do not have write permission to, such as /var/log/mysql/.

Resolution

All users should upgrade to the latest stable version of MySQL.

    # emerge sync

    # emerge -pv ">=dev-db/mysql-4.0.18-r2"
    # emerge ">=dev-db/mysql-4.0.18-r2"

References

Availability

This GLSA and any updates to it are available for viewing at the Gentoo Security Website: http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200405-20.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.