getmail: Filesystem overwrite vulnerability

1. Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

Advisory Reference	GLSA 200409-32 / getmail
Release Date	September 23, 2004
Latest Revision	May 22, 2006: 02
Impact	high
Exploitable	local

Package	Vulnerable versions	Unaffected versions	Architecture(s)
net-mail/getmail	< 4.2.0	>= 4.2.0	All supported architectures

Related bugreports: #64643

Synopsis

getmail contains a vulnerability that could potentially allow any local user to create or overwrite files in any directory on the system. This flaw can be escalated further and possibly lead to a complete system compromise.

2. Impact Information

Background

getmail is a reliable fetchmail replacement that supports Maildir, Mboxrd and external MDA delivery.

Description

David Watson discovered a vulnerability in getmail when it is configured to run as root and deliver mail to the maildirs/mbox files of untrusted local users. A malicious local user can then exploit a race condition, or a similar symlink attack, and potentially cause getmail to create or overwrite files in any directory on the system.

Impact

An untrusted local user could potentially create or overwrite files in any directory on the system. This vulnerability may also be exploited to have arbitrary commands executed as root.

3. Resolution Information

Workaround

Do not run getmail as a privileged user; or, in version 4, use an external MDA with explicitly configured user and group privileges.

Resolution

All getmail users should upgrade to the latest version:

Code Listing 3.1: Resolution

# emerge sync

# emerge -pv ">=net-mail/getmail-4.2.0"
# emerge ">=net-mail/getmail-4.2.0"

4. References

Updated September 23, 2004

Summary: This is a Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

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