diffutils sdiff creates temporary files insecurely

Overview

diffutils, a set of utilities distributed with many versions of linux, contains a utility called sdiff, which creates temporary files of predictable names in an insecure fashion. Using a symbolic link attack, an intruder can cause overwrite of any file writable by the user executing sdiff.

Description

sdiff creates temporary files as part of the file comparison process. Under some conditions, sdiff will create files in /tmp with predictable names, and furthermore does not check for prior existence or ownership of these files.

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Impact

By creating a series of symbolic links, an intruder can cause sdiff to overwrite any file writable by the user executing sdiff, which may corrupt data or deny service.

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Solution

Apply vendor patches; see the Systems Affected section below.

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Vendor Information

579928

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Caldera __ Affected

Notified: September 18, 2001 Updated: September 19, 2001

Status

Affected

Vendor Statement

For our Linux products:

Vulnerable: Openlinux 2.3, OpenLinux eServer 2.3.1, eDesktop 2.4
We have not released a security update for this problem, but released fixes in our 3.1 products.
Not vulnerable: OpenLinux Workstation 3.1 OpenLinux Server 3.1

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us [email](<mailto:[email protected]?Subject=VU%23579928 Feedback>).

Immunix __ Affected

Notified: January 10, 2001 Updated: September 17, 2001

Status

Affected

Vendor Statement

<http://www.linuxsecurity.com/advisories/other_advisory-1034.html&gt;

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us [email](<mailto:[email protected]?Subject=VU%23579928 Feedback>).

MandrakeSoft __ Affected

Notified: January 10, 2001 Updated: September 17, 2001

Status

Affected

Vendor Statement

<http://www.linux-mandrake.com/en/updates/2001/MDKSA-2001-008.php3?dis=6.1&gt;

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us [email](<mailto:[email protected]?Subject=VU%23579928 Feedback>).

RedHat __ Affected

Notified: September 18, 2001 Updated: November 08, 2001

Status

Affected

Vendor Statement

<http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2001-116.html&gt;

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us [email](<mailto:[email protected]?Subject=VU%23579928 Feedback>).

Trustix __ Affected

Notified: January 10, 2001 Updated: September 18, 2001

Status

Affected

Vendor Statement

<http://www.linuxsecurity.com/advisories/other_advisory-1047.html&gt;

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us [email](<mailto:[email protected]?Subject=VU%23579928 Feedback>).

Debian Unknown

Notified: September 18, 2001 Updated: October 09, 2001

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us [email](<mailto:[email protected]?Subject=VU%23579928 Feedback>).

Sequent Unknown

Notified: September 18, 2001 Updated: October 09, 2001

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us [email](<mailto:[email protected]?Subject=VU%23579928 Feedback>).

CVSS Metrics

Group	Score	Vector
Base
Temporal
Environmental

References

• <http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/2191&gt;
• <http://www.linux-mandrake.com/en/updates/2001/MDKSA-2001-008.php3?dis=6.1&gt;
• <http://www.linuxsecurity.com/advisories/other_advisory-1034.html&gt;
• <http://www.linuxsecurity.com/advisories/other_advisory-1047.html&gt;
• <http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2001-116.html&gt;

Acknowledgements

This vulnerability was first described by Greg Kroah-Hartman of Immunix.

This document was last modified by Tim Shimeall.

Other Information

CVE IDs:	CVE-2001-0117
Severity Metric:	4.50 Date Public: