[ GLSA 200411-09 ] shadow: Unauthorized modification of account information

[Matthias Geerdsen <vorlon () gentoo org>]

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Gentoo Linux Security Advisory                           GLSA 200411-09
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                                            http://security.gentoo.org/
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  Severity: Low
     Title: shadow: Unauthorized modification of account information
      Date: November 04, 2004
      Bugs: #69212
        ID: 200411-09

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Synopsis
========

A flaw in the chfn and chsh utilities might allow modification of
account properties by unauthorized users.

Background
==========

shadow provides a set of utilities to deal with user accounts.

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

    -------------------------------------------------------------------
     Package          /  Vulnerable  /                      Unaffected
    -------------------------------------------------------------------
  1  sys-apps/shadow     < 4.0.5-r1                        >= 4.0.5-r1

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

Martin Schulze reported a flaw in the passwd_check() function in
"libmisc/pwdcheck.c" which is used by chfn and chsh.

Impact
======

A local attacker may be able to use chfn and chsh to change the
standard shell of other users or modify their GECOS information (full
name, phone number...).

Workaround
==========

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution
==========

All shadow users should upgrade to the latest version:

    # emerge --sync
    # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=sys-apps/shadow-4.0.5-r1"

References
==========

  [ 1 ] shadow NEWS file
        http://ftp.pld.org.pl/software/shadow/NEWS

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

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

  http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200411-09.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
http://bugs.gentoo.org.

License
=======

Copyright 2004 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/1.0

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