XFree86 xauth Race Condition Vulnerability

BID:2924

Info

XFree86 xauth Race Condition Vulnerability

Bugtraq ID: 2924
Class: Race Condition Error
CVE:
Remote: No
Local: Yes
Published: Jul 02 2000 12:00AM
Updated: Jul 02 2000 12:00AM
Credit: Reportedly discovered by Colin Phipps.
Vulnerable: XFree86 X11R6 4.0.3
+ Redhat Linux 7.1
XFree86 X11R6 4.0.1
+ Redhat Linux 7.0
XFree86 X11R6 4.0
XFree86 X11R6 3.3.6
+ Debian Linux 2.2
+ Redhat Linux 6.2
Not Vulnerable:

Discussion

XFree86 xauth Race Condition Vulnerability

A possible race condition vulnerability exists in the xauth program, used to edit and display the authorization information used in connecting to the X server.

The error occurs when xauth writes temporary authorization files. If exploited succesfully, it may be possible for a malicious local user to symbolically link this temporary file to any file owned by the user running xauth. This may allow sensitive data to be overwritten, in some situations leading to a denial of service or enabling system compromise if the user can control the file contents.

Exploit / POC

XFree86 xauth Race Condition Vulnerability

Currently the SecurityFocus staff are not aware of any exploits for this issue. If you feel we are in error or are aware of more recent information, please mail us at: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>.

Solution / Fix

XFree86 xauth Race Condition Vulnerability

Solution:
Vendor patches that rectify this issue are available:


XFree86 X11R6 3.3.6

XFree86 X11R6 4.0.1

XFree86 X11R6 4.0.3

© CVE.report 2026

Use of this information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS condition. There are NO warranties, implied or otherwise, with regard to this information or its use. Any use of this information is at the user's risk. It is the responsibility of user to evaluate the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information, opinion, advice or other content. EACH USER WILL BE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY consequences of his or her direct or indirect use of this web site. ALL WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND ARE EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMED. This site will NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT or any other kind of loss.

CVE, CWE, and OVAL are registred trademarks of The MITRE Corporation and the authoritative source of CVE content is MITRE's CVE web site. This site includes MITRE data granted under the following license.

Free CVE JSON API cve.report/api

CVE.report and Source URL Uptime Status status.cve.report