Linux-PAM: Multiple vulnerabilities

Background

Linux-PAM (Pluggable Authentication Modules) is an architecture allowing the separation of the development of privilege granting software from the development of secure and appropriate authentication schemes.

Description

Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in Linux-PAM. Please review the CVE identifiers referenced below for details.

Impact

A local attacker could use specially crafted files to cause a buffer overflow, possibly resulting in privilege escalation or Denial of Service. Furthermore, a local attacker could execute specially crafted programs or symlink attacks, possibly resulting in data loss or disclosure of sensitive information.

Workaround

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution

All Linux-PAM users should upgrade to the latest version:

 # emerge --sync
 # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=sys-libs/pam-1.1.5"

NOTE: This is a legacy GLSA. Updates for all affected architectures are available since November 25, 2011. It is likely that your system is already no longer affected by this issue.