[ GLSA 200409-02 ] MySQL: Insecure temporary file creation in mysqlhotcopy

[Thierry Carrez <koon () gentoo org>]

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Gentoo Linux Security Advisory                           GLSA 200409-02
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                                            http://security.gentoo.org/
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  Severity: Normal
     Title: MySQL: Insecure temporary file creation in mysqlhotcopy
      Date: September 01, 2004
      Bugs: #60744
        ID: 200409-02

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Synopsis
========

The mysqlhotcopy utility can create temporary files with predictable
paths, allowing an attacker to use a symlink to trick MySQL into
overwriting important data.

Background
==========

MySQL is a popular open-source multi-threaded, multi-user SQL database
server.

Affected packages
=================

    -------------------------------------------------------------------
     Package       /  Vulnerable  /                         Unaffected
    -------------------------------------------------------------------
  1  dev-db/mysql      <= 4.0.20                          >= 4.0.20-r1

Description
===========

Jeroen van Wolffelaar discovered that the MySQL database hot copy
utility (mysqlhotcopy.sh), when using the scp method, uses temporary
files with predictable names. A malicious local user with write access
to the /tmp directory could create a symbolic link pointing to a file,
which may then be overwritten. In cases where mysqlhotcopy is run as
root, a malicious user could create a symlink to a critical file such
as /etc/passwd and cause it to be overwritten.

Impact
======

A local attacker could use this vulnerability to destroy other users'
data or corrupt and destroy system files, possibly leading to a denial
of service condition.

Workaround
==========

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution
==========

All MySQL users should upgrade to the latest version:

    # emerge sync

    # emerge -pv ">=dev-db/mysql-4.0.20-r1"
    # emerge ">=dev-db/mysql-4.0.20-r1"

References
==========

  [ 1 ] CAN-2004-0457
        http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CAN-2004-0457

Availability
============

This GLSA and any updates to it are available for viewing at
the Gentoo Security Website:

  http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200409-02.xml

Concerns?
=========

Security is a primary focus of Gentoo Linux and ensuring the
confidentiality and security of our users machines is of utmost
importance to us. Any security concerns should be addressed to
security () gentoo org or alternatively, you may file a bug at
http://bugs.gentoo.org.

License
=======

Copyright 2004 Gentoo Foundation, Inc; referenced text
belongs to its owner(s).

The contents of this document are licensed under the
Creative Commons - Attribution / Share Alike license.

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/1.0


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