Gentoo alert 200405-20 (MySQL)

From:
    	     
 
Thierry Carrez <koon@gentoo.org>
To:
    	     
 
gentoo-announce@lists.gentoo.org
Subject:
    	     
 
[gentoo-announce] [ GLSA 200405-20 ] Insecure Temporary File Creation In MySQL
Date:
    	     
 
Tue, 25 May 2004 22:47:18 +0200
Cc:
    	     
 
bugtraq@securityfocus.com,  full-disclosure@lists.netsys.com,
 security-alerts@linuxsecurity.com

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Gentoo Linux Security Advisory                           GLSA 200405-20
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                                            http://security.gentoo.org/
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  Severity: Normal
     Title: Insecure Temporary File Creation In MySQL
      Date: May 25, 2004
      Bugs: #46242
        ID: 200405-20

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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
    -------------------------------------------------------------------
  1  dev-db/mysql      < 4.0.18-r2                        >= 4.0.18-r2

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
==========

  [ 1 ] CAN-2004-0381
        http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CAN-2004-0381
  [ 2 ] CAN-2004-0388
        http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CAN-2004-0388

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
http://bugs.gentoo.org.

License
=======

Copyright 2004 Gentoo Technologies, 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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