Python os._execvpe function temporary file symlink attack
| python-execvpe-tmpfile-symlink (10009) |  Medium Risk |
Description:
Python could allow a local attacker to launch a symlink attack. The os._execvpe function in the os.py utility creates temporary files with predictable file names. A local attacker could use this vulnerability to create a symbolic link from a temporary file to any file on the system to cause the file to be overwritten, and possibly execute code on the system.
Platforms Affected:
- Conectiva, Linux 6.0
- Conectiva, Linux 7.0
- Conectiva, Linux 8.0
- Debian, Debian Linux 2.2
- Debian, Debian Linux 3.0
- Gentoo, Linux
- MandrakeSoft, Mandrake Linux 7.2
- MandrakeSoft, Mandrake Linux 8.0
- MandrakeSoft, Mandrake Linux 8.0 PPC
- MandrakeSoft, Mandrake Linux 8.1 IA64
- MandrakeSoft, Mandrake Linux 8.1
- MandrakeSoft, Mandrake Linux 8.2 PPC
- MandrakeSoft, Mandrake Linux 8.2
- MandrakeSoft, Mandrake Linux 9.0
- MandrakeSoft, Mandrake Single Network Firewall 7.2
- OpenPKG, OpenPKG 1.1
- OpenPKG, OpenPKG 1.2
- OpenPKG, OpenPKG CURRENT
- Python Software Foundation, Python 1.5.2 - 2.2.1
- RedHat, Enterprise Linux 2.1 AS
- RedHat, Linux 6.2
- RedHat, Linux 7
- RedHat, Linux 7.1
- RedHat, Linux 7.1 for iSeries
- RedHat, Linux 7.1 for pSeries
- RedHat, Linux 7.2
- RedHat, Linux 7.3
- RedHat, Linux Advanced Workstation 2.1 Itanium
- SCO, Caldera OpenLinux Server 3.1
- SCO, Caldera OpenLinux Server 3.1.1
- SCO, Caldera OpenLinux Workstation 3.1
- SCO, Caldera OpenLinux Workstation 3.1.1
- Sun, Linux 5.0
- Twibright Labs, Links 0.96
Remedy:
For Debian GNU/Linux 2.2 (potato):
Upgrade to the latest python package (1.5.2-10potato12 or later), as listed in DSA-159-1. See References.
For Debian GNU/Linux 3.0 (woody):
Upgrade to the latest python package (1.5_1.5.2-23.1 or later), as listed in DSA-159-1. See References.
For Sun Linux 5.0:
Apply the appropriate patch for your system. Refer to Sun Alert ID: 56122 for more information. See References.
— OR —
As a workaround, follow the instructions as listed in Sun Alert ID: 56122.
For Conectiva Linux:
Upgrade to the latest python package, as listed below. Refer to Conectiva Linux Security Announcement CLSA-2002:527 for more information. See References.
Conectiva Linux 6.0: 1.5.2-14U60_2cl or later
Conectiva Linux 7.0: 2.1-15U70_1cl or later
Conectiva Linux 8.0: 2.2-10U80_1cl or later
For Gentoo Linux:
Upgrade to the latest dev-lang/python-2.2.1-r4 package, as listed in Gentoo Linux Security Announcement 2002-10-03 14:45 UTC. See References.
For Caldera OpenLinux 3.1 and 3.1.1 (Workstation and Server):
Upgrade to the latest python package (1.5.2-23 or later), as listed in Caldera International, Inc. Security Advisory CSSA-2002-045.0. See References.
For Mandrake Linux:
Upgrade to the latest python, as listed below. Refer to MandrakeSoft Security Advisory MDKSA-2002:082 for more information. See References.
Mandrake Linux 7.2 and Single Network Firewall 7.2: 1.5.2-12.1mdk or later
Mandrake Linux 8.0: 2.0-9.1mdk or later
Mandrake Linux 8.1 and 8.2: 2.2-9.1mdk or later
Mandrake Linux 9.0: 2.2.1-14.2mdk or later
For Red Hat Linux:
Upgrade to the latest python package, as listed below. Refer to RHSA-2002:202-25 for more information. See References.
Red Hat 6.2: python-1.5.2-42.62 or later
Red Hat 7.0 and 7.1: python-1.5.2-42.71 or later
Red Hat 7.2: python-1.5.2-42.72 or later
Red Hat 7.3: python-1.5.2-42.73 or later
For OpenPKG:
Upgrade to the latest python package, as listed below. Refer to OpenPKG Security Advisory OpenPKG-SA-2003.006 for more information. See References.
OpenPKG CURRENT: 2.2.2-20021015 or later
OpenPKG 1.1: 2.2.1-1.1.1 or later
For other distributions:
Contact your vendor for upgrade or patch information.
Consequences:
File Manipulation
References:
- Caldera International, Inc. Security Advisory CSSA-2002-045.0, Linux: python insecure temporary files in os._execvpe at http://www.linuxsecurity.com/content/view/104334/98/.
- Conectiva Linux Announcement CLSA-2002:527, python at http://distro.conectiva.com/atualizacoes/?id=a&anuncio=000527.
- Gentoo Linux Security Announcement 2002-10-03 14:45 UTC, os.execvpe() vulnerability at http://www.linuxsecurity.com/content/view/104176/109/.
- Python Web site, Download Python Software at http://www.python.org/download/.
- Python-Dev Mailing List, Thu, 1 Aug 2002 09:19:46 -0700, Weird error handling in os._execvpe at http://mail.python.org/pipermail/python-dev/2002-August/027223.html.
- SourceForge.net, Detail:590294 os._execvpe security fix at http://sourceforge.net/tracker/index.php?func=detail&aid=590294&group_id=5470&atid=305470.
- SourceForge.net, Detail:601077 bug in new execvpe at http://sourceforge.net/tracker/index.php?func=detail&aid=601077&group_id=5470&atid=105470.
- Sun Alert ID: 56122, Python Creates Temporary Files Insecurely at http://sunsolve.sun.com/pub-cgi/retrieve.pl?doc=fsalert%2F56122&zone_32=category%3Asecurity.
- BID-5581: Python os.py Predictable Temporary Filename Command Execution Vulnerability
- CVE-2002-1119: os._execvpe from os.py in Python 2.2.1 and earlier creates temporary files with predictable names, which could allow local users to execute arbitrary code via a symlink attack.
- DSA-159: python -- insecure temporary files
- MDKSA-2002:082: Updated python packages fix local arbitrary code execution vulnerability
- MDKSA-2002:082-1: Updated python packages fix local arbitrary code execution vulnerability
- MDKSA-2003:024: Updated packages fix multiple vulnerabilities
- OpenPKG-SA-2003.006: Python
- RHSA-2002-202: Updated python packages fix predictable temporary file
- RHSA-2003-048: python security update
Reported:
Aug 28, 2002
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