A shadow security update has been released

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Gentoo Linux Security Advisory GLSA 200411-09
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http://security.gentoo.org/
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Severity: Low
Title: shadow: Unauthorized modification of account information
Date: November 04, 2004
Bugs: #69212
ID: 200411-09

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Synopsis
=======

A flaw in the chfn and chsh utilities might allow modification of account properties by unauthorized users.



Background
=========

shadow provides a set of utilities to deal with user accounts.

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

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Package / Vulnerable / Unaffected
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1 sys-apps/shadow < 4.0.5-r1 >= 4.0.5-r1

Description
==========

Martin Schulze reported a flaw in the passwd_check() function in "libmisc/pwdcheck.c" which is used by chfn and chsh.

Impact
=====

A local attacker may be able to use chfn and chsh to change the standard shell of other users or modify their GECOS information (full name, phone number...).

Workaround
=========

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution
=========

All shadow users should upgrade to the latest version:

# emerge --sync
# emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=sys-apps/shadow-4.0.5-r1"

References
=========

[ 1 ] shadow NEWS file
http://ftp.pld.org.pl/software/shadow/NEWS

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

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

http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200411-09.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