[ GLSA 200409-32 ] getmail: Filesystem overwrite vulnerability

[Sune Kloppenborg Jeppesen <jaervosz () gentoo org>]

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Gentoo Linux Security Advisory                           GLSA 200409-32
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                                            http://security.gentoo.org/
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  Severity: High
     Title: getmail: Filesystem overwrite vulnerability
      Date: September 23, 2004
      Bugs: #64643
        ID: 200409-32

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Synopsis
========

getmail contains a vulnerability that could potentially allow any local
user to create or overwrite files in any directory on the system. This
flaw can be escalated further and possibly lead to a complete system
compromise.

Background
==========

getmail is a reliable fetchmail replacement that supports Maildir,
Mboxrd and external MDA delivery.

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

    -------------------------------------------------------------------
     Package           /  Vulnerable  /                     Unaffected
    -------------------------------------------------------------------
  1  net-mail/getmail       < 4.2.0                           >= 4.2.0

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

David Watson discovered a vulnerability in getmail when it is
configured to run as root and deliver mail to the maildirs/mbox files
of untrusted local users. A malicious local user can then exploit a
race condition, or a similar symlink attack, and potentially cause
getmail to create or overwrite files in any directory on the system.

Impact
======

An untrusted local user could potentially create or overwrite files in
any directory on the system. This vulnerability may also be exploited
to have arbitrary commands executed as root.

Workaround
==========

Do not run getmail as a privileged user; or, in version 4, use an
external MDA with explicitly configured user and group privileges.

Resolution
==========

All getmail users should upgrade to the latest version:

    # emerge sync

    # emerge -pv ">=net-mail/getmail-4.2.0"
    # emerge ">=net-mail/getmail-4.2.0"

References
==========

  [ 1 ] getmail ChangeLog
        http://www.qcc.ca/~charlesc/software/getmail-4/CHANGELOG
  [ 2 ] getmail Mailing List
        http://article.gmane.org/gmane.mail.getmail.user/1430

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

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

  http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200409-32.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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