Linux Man Malicious Cache File Creation Vulnerability

BID:2815

Info

Linux Man Malicious Cache File Creation Vulnerability

Bugtraq ID: 2815
Class: Access Validation Error
CVE:
Remote: No
Local: Yes
Published: Jun 04 2001 12:00AM
Updated: Jun 04 2001 12:00AM
Credit: Discovered by Luki R. <[email protected]>
Vulnerable: Redhat Linux 7.1
Redhat Linux 7.0
Redhat Linux 6.1
Redhat Linux 6.2
Debian Linux 2.2
Debian Linux 2.1
Not Vulnerable:

Discussion

Linux Man Malicious Cache File Creation Vulnerability

A vulnerability exists in the 'man' system manual pager program.

It is possible for local users to cause man to cache files in the system cache directory from outside of the configured manual page hierarchy search path.

Combined with the behaviours of 'man' and 'mandb' or any other utilities which trust cache filenames, it may be possible to use this vulnerability to elevate privileges.

Exploit / POC

Linux Man Malicious Cache File Creation Vulnerability

The 'mandebian.sh' and 'manredhat.sh' exploits have been made available by Luki R. <[email protected]>.

Solution / Fix

Linux Man Malicious Cache File Creation Vulnerability

Solution:
Removing the setuid bit from '/usr/lib/man-db/mandb' will eliminate the possibility of immediately gaining uid 'man'. It may also be advisable to remove the setuid bit from '/usr/lib/man-db/man' as well.

Vendor updates which rectify this issue are available:


Debian Linux 2.2

References

Linux Man Malicious Cache File Creation Vulnerability

References:

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