KDE2 kdesu 'keep password' option does not verify socket listener potentially exposing su password

Overview

kdesu is a interactive interface to the substitute user (su) command for the KDE environment. To pass authentication information, it creates a file that may be read by unauthorized users.

Description

kdesu communicates with su using a socket, implemented as a file in /tmp with a predictable name. In this file is placed authenticating information for the effective user that the kdesu user wishes to become (often root).

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Impact

By using a symbolic link attack, an attacker may be able to capture usernames and passwords.

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Solution

Apply vendor patches; see the Systems Affected section below.

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Creating files in /tmp with appropriate names may block the symbolic link attack, but it may also prevent kdesu from operating properly. It will not be a robust fix.

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Vendor Information

982616

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Caldera __ Affected

Updated: May 17, 2001

Status

Affected

Vendor Statement

<http://www.calderasystems.com/support/security/advisories/CSSA-2001-005.0.txt&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%23982616 Feedback>).

Conectiva __ Affected

Notified: January 23, 2001 Updated: May 17, 2001

Status

Affected

Vendor Statement

<http://www.linuxsecurity.com/advisories/other_advisory-1119.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%23982616 Feedback>).

MandrakeSoft __ Affected

Notified: April 30, 2001 Updated: May 17, 2001

Status

Affected

Vendor Statement

<http://www.linux-mandrake.com/en/security/2001/MDKSA-2001-046.php3?dis=8.0&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%23982616 Feedback>).

RedHat __ Affected

Notified: April 25, 200 Updated: May 17, 2001

Status

Affected

Vendor Statement

<http://www.linuxsecurity.com/advisories/redhat_advisory-1335.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%23982616 Feedback>).

SuSE __ Affected

Notified: January 23, 2001 Updated: May 17, 2001

Status

Affected

Vendor Statement

<http://www.linuxsecurity.com/advisories/suse_advisory-1113.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%23982616 Feedback>).

CVSS Metrics

Group	Score	Vector
Base
Temporal
Environmental

References

• <http://www.calderasystems.com/support/security/advisories/CSSA-2001-005.0.txt&gt;
• <http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/2669&gt;
• <http://www.linux-mandrake.com/en/security/2001/MDKSA-2001-046.php3?dis=8.0&gt;
• <http://www.linuxsecurity.com/advisories/redhat_advisory-1335.html&gt;
• <http://www.linuxsecurity.com/advisories/other_advisory-1119.html&gt;
• <http://www.linuxsecurity.com/advisories/suse_advisory-1113.html&gt;

Acknowledgements

Initial information on this vulnerability came from a statement by Caldera Systems.

This document was last modified by Tim Shimeall.

Other Information

CVE IDs:	CVE-2001-0178
Severity Metric:	8.10 Date Public: