[ GLSA 200410-16 ] PostgreSQL: Insecure temporary file use in make_oidjoins_check

[GLSA]

Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

Title: PostgreSQL: Insecure temporary file use in make_oidjoins_check (GLSA 200410-16)
Severity: normal
Exploitable: local
Date: October 18, 2004
Updated: May 28, 2009
Bug(s): #66371
ID: 200410-16

Synopsis

The make_oidjoins_check script, part of the PostgreSQL package, is vulnerable to symlink attacks, potentially allowing a local user to overwrite arbitrary files with the rights of the user running the utility.

Background

PostgreSQL is an open source database based on the POSTGRES database management system. It includes several contributed scripts including the make_oidjoins_check script.

Affected Packages

Package: dev-db/postgresql
Vulnerable: <= 7.4.5-r1
Unaffected: >= 7.4.5-r2
Unaffected: >= 7.3.7-r2 < 7.3.8
Unaffected: >= 7.3.15 < 7.3.16
Unaffected: >= 7.3.16 < 7.3.17
Unaffected: >= 7.3.18 < 7.3.19
Unaffected: >= 7.3.21 < 7.3.22
Architectures: All supported architectures


Description

The make_oidjoins_check script insecurely creates temporary files in world-writeable directories with predictable names.

Impact

A local attacker could create symbolic links in the temporary files directory, pointing to a valid file somewhere on the filesystem. When make_oidjoins_check is called, this would result in file overwrite with the rights of the user running the utility, which could be the root user.

Workaround

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution

All PostgreSQL users should upgrade to the latest version: