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Home >> Browse Vulnerability Assessment Database >> Gentoo Local Security Checks >> [GLSA-200405-20] Insecure Temporary File Creation In MySQL

Vulnerability Assessment Details

[GLSA-200405-20] Insecure Temporary File Creation In MySQL

Vulnerability Assessment Summary
Insecure Temporary File Creation In MySQL

Detailed Explanation for this Vulnerability Assessment
The remote host is affected by the vulnerability described in GLSA-200405-20
(Insecure Temporary File Creation In MySQL)

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/.

References:
http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2004-0381
http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2004-0388

Solution:
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"

Network Security Threat Level: Medium

Networks Security ID:

Vulnerability Assessment Copyright: (C) 2005 Michel Arboi

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