A Webmin/Usermin security update is available for Gentoo Linux

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Gentoo Linux Security Advisory GLSA 200409-15
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http://security.gentoo.org/
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Severity: Normal
Title: Webmin, Usermin: Multiple vulnerabilities in Usermin
Date: September 12, 2004
Bugs: #63167
ID: 200409-15

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Synopsis
=======

A vulnerability in the webmail function of Usermin could be used by an attacker to execute shell code via a specially-crafted e-mail. A bug in the installation script of Webmin and Usermin also allows a local user to execute a symlink attack at installation time.



Background
=========

Webmin and Usermin are web-based system administration consoles. Webmin allows an administrator to easily configure servers and other features. Usermin allows users to configure their own accounts, execute commands, and read e-mail. The Usermin functionality, including webmail, is also included in Webmin.

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

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Package / Vulnerable / Unaffected
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1 app-admin/usermin < 1.090 >= 1.090
2 app-admin/webmin < 1.160 >= 1.160
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2 affected packages on all of their supported architectures.
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Description
==========

There is an input validation bug in the webmail feature of Usermin.

Additionally, the Webmin and Usermin installation scripts write to /tmp/.webmin without properly checking if it exists first.

Impact
=====

The first vulnerability allows a remote attacker to inject arbitrary shell code in a specially-crafted e-mail. This could lead to remote code execution with the privileges of the user running Webmin or Usermin.

The second could allow local users who know Webmin or Usermin is going to be installed to have arbitrary files be overwritten by creating a symlink by the name /tmp/.webmin that points to some target file, e.g. /etc/passwd.

Workaround
=========

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution
=========

All Usermin users should upgrade to the latest version:

# emerge sync

# emerge -pv ">=app-admin/usermin-1.090"
# emerge ">=app-admin/usermin-1.090"

All Webmin users should upgrade to the latest version:

# emerge sync

# emerge -pv ">=app-admin/webmin-1.160"
# emerge ">=app-admin/webmin-1.160"

References
=========

[ 1 ] Secunia Advisory SA12488
http://secunia.com/advisories/12488/
[ 2 ] Usermin Changelog
http://www.webmin.com/uchanges.html

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

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

http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200409-15.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 Foundation, 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