[ GLSA 202403-04 ] XZ utils: Backdoor in release tarballs
[ GLSA 202403-04 ] XZ utils: Backdoor in release tarballs
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Gentoo Linux Security Advisory GLSA 202403-04
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https://security.gentoo.org/
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Severity: High
Title: XZ utils: Backdoor in release tarballs
Date: March 29, 2024
Bugs: #928134
ID: 202403-04
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Synopsis
========
A backdoor has been discovered in XZ utils that could lead to remote
compromise of systems.
Background
==========
XZ Utils is free general-purpose data compression software with a high
compression ratio.
Affected packages
=================
Package Vulnerable Unaffected
----------------- ------------ ------------
app-arch/xz-utils >= 5.6.0 < 5.6.0
Description
===========
A backdoor has been discovered in XZ utils. Please review the CVE
identifier referenced below for details.
Impact
======
Our current understanding of the backdoor is that is does not affect
Gentoo systems, because
1. the backdoor only appears to be included on specific systems and
Gentoo does not qualify;
2. the backdoor as it is currently understood targets OpenSSH patched to
work with systemd-notify support. Gentoo does not support or include
these patches;
Analysis is still ongoing, however, and additional vectors may still be
identified. For this reason we are still issuing this advisory as if
that will be the case.
Workaround
==========
There is no known workaround at this time.
Resolution
==========
All XZ utils users should downgrade to the latest version before the
backdoor was introduced:
# emerge --sync
# emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose "
