Gentoo 2514 Published by

A MySQL update is available for Gentoo Linux

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Gentoo Linux Security Advisory GLSA 200405-20
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http://security.gentoo.org/
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Severity: Normal
Title: Insecure Temporary File Creation In MySQL
Date: May 25, 2004
Bugs: #46242
ID: 200405-20

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Synopsis
=======

Two MySQL utilities create temporary files with hardcoded paths, allowing an attacker to use a symlink to trick MySQL into overwriting important data.



Background
=========

MySQL is a popular open-source multi-threaded, multi-user SQL database server.

Affected packages
================

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Package / Vulnerable / Unaffected
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1 dev-db/mysql < 4.0.18-r2 >= 4.0.18-r2

Description
==========

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/.

Resolution
=========

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"

References
=========

[ 1 ] CAN-2004-0381
http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CAN-2004-0381
[ 2 ] CAN-2004-0388
http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CAN-2004-0388

Availability
===========

This GLSA and any updates to it are available for viewing at the Gentoo Security Website:

http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200405-20.xml

Concerns?
========

Security is a primary focus of Gentoo Linux and ensuring the confidentiality and security of our users machines is of utmost importance to us. Any security concerns should be addressed to security@gentoo.org or alternatively, you may file a bug at http://bugs.gentoo.org.

License
======

Copyright 2004 Gentoo Technologies, Inc; referenced text belongs to its owner(s).

The contents of this document are licensed under the Creative Commons - Attribution / Share Alike license.

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/1.0