[ GLSA 200903-41 ] gedit: Untrusted search path

[GLSA]

Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

Title: gedit: Untrusted search path (GLSA 200903-41)
Severity: normal
Exploitable: local
Date: March 30, 2009
Bug(s): #257004
ID: 200903-41

Synopsis

A vulnerability in gedit might allow local attackers to execute arbitrary code.

Background

gedit is a text editor for the GNOME desktop.

Affected Packages

Package: app-editors/gedit
Vulnerable: < 2.24.3
Unaffected: >= 2.22.3-r1 < 2.22.4
Unaffected: >= 2.24.3
Architectures: All supported architectures


Description

James Vega reported that gedit uses the current working directory when searching for python modules, a vulnerability related to CVE-2008-5983.

Impact

A local attacker could entice a user to open gedit from a specially crafted environment, possibly resulting in the execution of arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the application.

Workaround

Do not run gedit from untrusted working directories.

Resolution

All gedit 2.22.x users should upgrade to the latest version: