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Gentoo Linux Security Advisory                           GLSA 200510-04
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                                            http://security.gentoo.org/
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  Severity: Normal
     Title: Texinfo: Insecure temporary file creation
      Date: October 05, 2005
      Bugs: #106105
        ID: 200510-04

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Synopsis
========

Texinfo is vulnerable to symlink attacks, potentially allowing a local
user to overwrite arbitrary files.

Background
==========

Texinfo is the official documentation system created by the GNU
project.

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

    -------------------------------------------------------------------
     Package           /  Vulnerable  /                     Unaffected
    -------------------------------------------------------------------
  1  sys-apps/texinfo      < 4.8-r1                          >= 4.8-r1

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

Frank Lichtenheld has discovered that the "sort_offline()" function in
texindex insecurely creates temporary files with predictable filenames.

Impact
======

A local attacker could create symbolic links in the temporary files
directory, pointing to a valid file somewhere on the filesystem. When
texindex is executed, this would result in the file being overwritten
with the rights of the user running the application.

Workaround
==========

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution
==========

All Texinfo users should upgrade to the latest version:

    # emerge --sync
    # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=sys-apps/texinfo-4.8-r1"

References
==========

  [ 1 ] CAN-2005-3011
        http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CAN-2005-3011

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

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

  http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200510-04.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
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