[ GLSA 200502-08 ] PostgreSQL: Local privilege escalation

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Gentoo Linux Security Advisory GLSA 200502-08
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                                            http://security.gentoo.org/
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  Severity: Normal
     Title: PostgreSQL: Local privilege escalation
      Date: February 07, 2005
      Bugs: #80342
        ID: 200502-08

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Synopsis
========

The PostgreSQL server can be tricked by a local attacker to execute
arbitrary code.

Background
==========

PostgreSQL is a SQL compliant, open source object-relational database
management system.

Affected packages
=================

    -------------------------------------------------------------------
     Package / Vulnerable / Unaffected
    -------------------------------------------------------------------
  1 dev-db/postgresql < 7.4.7 >= 7.4.7

Description
===========

PostgreSQL's LOAD extension is vulnerable to a local privilege
escalation discovered by John Heasman. A local user can load any shared
library, but the initialization function will then be executed with the
permissions of the PostgreSQL server.

Impact
======

A malicious local user could exploit this to execute arbitrary code
with the privileges of the PostgreSQL server.

Workaround
==========

There is no know workaround at this time.

Resolution
==========

All PostgreSQL users should upgrade to the latest version:

    # emerge --sync
    # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=dev-db/postgresql-7.4.7"

References
==========

  [ 1 ] PostgreSQL Announcement
        http://archives.postgresql.org/pgsql-announce/2005-02/msg00000.php

Availability
============

This GLSA and any updates to it are available for viewing at
the Gentoo Security Website:

  http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200502-08.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_at_gentoo.org or alternatively, you may file a bug at
http://bugs.gentoo.org.

License
=======

Copyright 2005 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.

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0