Debian Bug report logs - #496391
The possibility of attack with the help of symlinks in some Debian packages

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Message #5 received at submit@bugs.debian.org (full text, mbox):

From: "Dmitry E. Oboukhov" <dimka@uvw.ru>
To: submit@bugs.debian.org
Cc: dimka@uvw.ru
Subject: The possibility of attack with the help of symlinks in some Debian packages
Date: Sun, 24 Aug 2008 22:05:30 +0400

Package: gccxml
Severity: grave

Hi, maintainer!

This message about the error concerns a few packages  at  once.   I've
tested all the packages (for Lenny) on my Debian mirror.  All  scripts
of packages (marked as executable) were tested.

In some packages I've discovered scripts with errors which may be used
by a user for damaging important system files or user's files.

For example if a script uses in its work a temp file which is  created
in /tmp directory, then every user can create symlink  with  the  same
name in this directory in order to  destroy  or  rewrite  some  system
or user file.  Symlink attack may also  lead  not  only  to  the  data
desctruction but to denial of service as well.

Even if you create files or directories with help of function 'RANDOM'
or pid(), then your system is not protected. Attacker can create many
symlinks in order to destroy your data or create 'denial  of  service'
for your package scripts.

Even if you make rm(dir) for files/directories, then  your  system  is
not protected. Attacker can permanently create symlinks.

This list is created with the help of script.  This list is sorted  by
hand. Howewer in some cases mistake is possible.

Please, Be understanding to possible mistakes. :)

I set Severity into grave for this bug. The table of discovered
problems is below.

Discussion of this bug you can see in debian-devel@:
    http://lists.debian.org/debian-devel/2008/08/msg00271.html

Binary-package: r-base-core-ra (1.1.1-1)
    file: /usr/lib/Ra/lib/R/bin/javareconf
Binary-package: rccp (0.9-2)
    file: /usr/lib/rccp/delqueueask
Binary-package: mafft (6.240-1)
    file: /usr/bin/mafft-homologs
Binary-package: openoffice.org-common (1:2.4.1-6)
    file: /usr/lib/openoffice/program/senddoc
Binary-package: crossfire-maps (1.11.0-1)
    file: /usr/share/games/crossfire/maps/Info/combine.pl
Binary-package: sgml2x (1.0.0-11.1)
    file: /usr/bin/rlatex
Binary-package: liguidsoap (0.3.6-4)
    file: /var/lib/liguidsoap/liguidsoap.py
Binary-package: citadel-server (7.37-1)
    file: /usr/lib/citadel-server/migrate_aliases.sh
Binary-package: ampache (3.4.1-1)
    file: /usr/share/ampache/www/locale/base/gather-messages.sh
Binary-package: xen-utils-3.2-1 (3.2.1-2)
    file: /usr/lib/xen-3.2-1/bin/qemu-dm.debug
Binary-package: dtc-common (0.29.6-1)
    file: /usr/share/dtc/admin/accesslog.php
    file: /usr/share/dtc/admin/sa-wrapper
Binary-package: honeyd-common (1.5c-3)
    file: /usr/share/honeyd/scripts/test.sh
Binary-package: lustre-tests (1.6.5-1)
    file: /usr/lib/lustre/tests/runiozone
Binary-package: linuxtrade (3.65-8+b4)
    file: /usr/share/linuxtrade/bin/linuxtrade.bwkvol
    file: /usr/share/linuxtrade/bin/linuxtrade.wn
    file: /usr/share/linuxtrade/bin/moneyam.helper
Binary-package: freevo (1.8.1-0)
    file: /usr/bin/freevo.real
Binary-package: fml (4.0.3.dfsg-2)
    file: /usr/share/fml/libexec/mead.pl
Binary-package: rkhunter (1.3.2-3)
    file: /usr/bin/rkhunter
Binary-package: openswan (1:2.4.12+dfsg-1.1)
    file: /usr/lib/ipsec/livetest
Binary-package: linux-patch-openswan (1:2.4.12+dfsg-1.1)
    file: /usr/src/kernel-patches/all/openswan/packaging/utils/maysnap
    file: /usr/src/kernel-patches/all/openswan/packaging/utils/maytest
Binary-package: aptoncd (0.1-1.1)
    file: /usr/share/aptoncd/xmlfile.py
Binary-package: cdcontrol (1.90-1.1)
    file: /usr/lib/cdcontrol/writtercontrol
Binary-package: newsgate (1.6-23)
    file: /usr/bin/mkmailpost
Binary-package: gpsdrive-scripts (2.10~pre4-3)
    file: /usr/bin/geo-code
Binary-package: impose+ (0.2-11)
    file: /usr/bin/impose
Binary-package: mgt (2.31-5)
    file: /usr/games/mailgo
Binary-package: audiolink (0.05-1)
    file: /usr/bin/audiolink
Binary-package: ibackup (2.27-4.1)
    file: /usr/bin/ibackup
Binary-package: emacspeak (26.0-3)
    file: /usr/share/emacs/site-lisp/emacspeak/etc/extract-table.pl
Binary-package: bk2site (1:1.1.9-3.1)
    file: /usr/lib/cgi-bin/bk2site/redirect.pl
Binary-package: datafreedom-perl (0.1.7-1)
    file: /usr/bin/dfxml-invoice
Binary-package: emacs-jabber (0.7.91-1)
    file: /usr/lib/emacsen-common/packages/install/emacs-jabber
Binary-package: lmbench (3.0-a7-1)
    file: /usr/lib/lmbench/scripts/rccs
    file: /usr/lib/lmbench/scripts/STUFF
Binary-package: rancid-util (2.3.2~a8-1)
    file: /var/lib/rancid/getipacctg
Binary-package: ogle (0.9.2-5.2)
    file: /usr/lib/ogle/ogle_audio_debug
    file: /usr/lib/ogle/ogle_cli_debug
    file: /usr/lib/ogle/ogle_ctrl_debug
    file: /usr/lib/ogle/ogle_gui_debug
    file: /usr/lib/ogle/ogle_mpeg_ps_debug
    file: /usr/lib/ogle/ogle_mpeg_vs_debug
    file: /usr/lib/ogle/ogle_nav_debug
    file: /usr/lib/ogle/ogle_vout_debug
Binary-package: firehol (1.256-4)
    file: /sbin/firehol
Binary-package: aview (1.3.0rc1-8)
    file: /usr/bin/asciiview
Binary-package: radiance (3R9+20080530-3)
    file: /usr/bin/optics2rad
    file: /usr/bin/pdelta
    file: /usr/bin/dayfact
    file: /usr/bin/raddepend
Binary-package: vdr-dbg (1.6.0-5)
    file: /usr/bin/vdrleaktest
Binary-package: ogle-mmx (0.9.2-5.2)
    file: /usr/lib/ogle/ogle_audio_debug
    file: /usr/lib/ogle/ogle_cli_debug
    file: /usr/lib/ogle/ogle_ctrl_debug
    file: /usr/lib/ogle/ogle_gui_debug
    file: /usr/lib/ogle/ogle_mpeg_ps_debug
    file: /usr/lib/ogle/ogle_mpeg_vs_debug
    file: /usr/lib/ogle/ogle_nav_debug
    file: /usr/lib/ogle/ogle_vout_debug
Binary-package: convirt (0.8.2-3)
    file: /usr/share/convirt/image_store/_template_/provision.sh
    file: /usr/share/convirt/image_store/Linux_CD_Install/provision.sh
    file: /usr/share/convirt/image_store/Fedora_PV_Install/provision.sh
    file: /usr/share/convirt/image_store/CentOS_PV_Install/provision.sh
    file: /usr/share/convirt/image_store/common/provision.sh
    file: /usr/share/convirt/image_store/example/provision.sh
    file: /usr/share/convirt/image_store/Windows_CD_Install/provision.sh
Binary-package: printfilters-ppd (2.13-9)
    file: /usr/lib/printfilters/master-filter
Binary-package: r-base-core (2.7.1-1)
    file: /usr/lib/R/bin/javareconf
    file: /usr/lib/R/bin/javareconf.orig
Binary-package: xmcd (2.6-19.3)
    file: /usr/share/xmcd/scripts/ncsarmt
    file: /usr/share/xmcd/scripts/ncsawrap
Binary-package: tiger (1:3.2.2-3.1)
    file: /usr/lib/tiger/util/genmsgidx
Binary-package: scilab-bin (4.1.2-5)
    file: /usr/lib/scilab-4.1.2/bin/scilink
    file: /usr/lib/scilab-4.1.2/util/scidoc
    file: /usr/lib/scilab-4.1.2/util/scidem
Binary-package: dpkg-cross (2.3.0)
    file: /usr/share/dpkg-cross/bin/gccross
Binary-package: ltp-network-test (20060918-2.1)
    file: /usr/lib/debian-test/tests/linux/testcases/bin/ftp_setup_vsftp_conf
    file: /usr/lib/debian-test/tests/linux/testcases/bin/nfs_fsstress.sh
Binary-package: cman (2.20080629-1)
    file: /usr/sbin/fence_egenera
Binary-package: scratchbox2 (1.99.0.24-1)
    file: /usr/share/scratchbox2/scripts/dpkg-checkbuilddeps
    file: /usr/share/scratchbox2/scripts/sb2-check-pkg-mappings
Binary-package: sendmail-base (8.14.3-5)
    file: /usr/sbin/checksendmail
    file: /usr/bin/expn
Binary-package: fwbuilder (2.1.19-3)
    file: /usr/bin/fwb_install
Binary-package: sng (1.0.2-5)
    file: /usr/bin/sng_regress
Binary-package: dist (1:3.5-17-1)
    file: /usr/bin/patcil
    file: /usr/bin/patdiff
Binary-package: sympa (5.3.4-5)
    file: /usr/lib/cgi-bin/sympa/wwsympa.fcgi
    file: /usr/lib/sympa/bin/sympa.pl
Binary-package: postfix (2.5.2-2)
    file: /usr/lib/postfix_groups.pl
Binary-package: caudium (3:1.4.12-11)
    file: /usr/share/caudium/configvar
Binary-package: mgetty-fax (1.1.36-1.2)
    file: /usr/bin/faxspool
Binary-package: aegis (4.24-3)
    file: /usr/share/doc/aegis/examples/remind/bng_dvlpd.sh
    file: /usr/share/doc/aegis/examples/remind/bng_rvwd.sh
    file: /usr/share/doc/aegis/examples/remind/awt_dvlp.sh
    file: /usr/share/doc/aegis/examples/remind/awt_intgrtn.sh
Binary-package: aegis-web (4.24-3)
    file: /usr/lib/cgi-bin/aegis.cgi
Binary-package: digitaldj (0.7.5-6+b1)
    file: /usr/share/digitaldj/fest.pl
Binary-package: mon (0.99.2-12)
    file: /usr/lib/mon/alert.d/test.alert
Binary-package: feta (1.4.16)
    file: /usr/share/feta/plugins/to-upgrade
Binary-package: arb-common (0.0.20071207.1-4)
    file: /usr/lib/arb/SH/arb_fastdnaml
    file: /usr/lib/arb/SH/dszmconnect.pl
Binary-package: qemu (0.9.1-5)
    file: /usr/sbin/qemu-make-debian-root
Binary-package: apertium (3.0.7+1-1+b1)
    file: /usr/bin/apertium-gen-deformat
    file: /usr/bin/apertium-gen-reformat
    file: /usr/bin/apertium
Binary-package: xcal (4.1-18.3)
    file: /usr/bin/pscal
Binary-package: myspell-tools (1:3.1-20)
    file: /usr/bin/i2myspell
Binary-package: gccxml (0.9.0+cvs20080525-1)
    file: /usr/share/gccxml-0.9/MIPSpro/find_flags
Binary-package: freeradius-dialupadmin (2.0.4+dfsg-4)
    file: /usr/share/freeradius-dialupadmin/bin/backup_radacct
    file: /usr/share/freeradius-dialupadmin/bin/clean_radacct
    file: /usr/share/freeradius-dialupadmin/bin/monthly_tot_stats
    file: /usr/share/freeradius-dialupadmin/bin/tot_stats
    file: /usr/share/freeradius-dialupadmin/bin/truncate_radacct
Binary-package: dhis-server (5.3-1)
    file: /usr/lib/dhis-server/dhis-dummy-log-engine
Binary-package: wims (3.62-13)
    file: /var/lib/wims/public_html/bin/coqweb
    file: /var/lib/wims/bin/account.sh
Binary-package: initramfs-tools (0.92f)
    file: /usr/share/initramfs-tools/init
Binary-package: realtimebattle-common (1.0.8-7)
    file: /usr/lib/realtimebattle/Robots/perl.robot
Binary-package: netmrg (0.20-1)
    file: /usr/bin/rrdedit
Binary-package: bulmages-servers (0.11.1-2)
    file: /usr/share/bulmages/examples/scripts/actualizabulmacont
    file: /usr/share/bulmages/examples/scripts/installbulmages-db
    file: /usr/share/bulmages/examples/scripts/creabulmafact
    file: /usr/share/bulmages/examples/scripts/creabulmacont
    file: /usr/share/bulmages/examples/scripts/actualizabulmafact
Binary-package: xastir (1.9.2-1)
    file: /usr/lib/xastir/get-maptools.sh
    file: /usr/lib/xastir/get_shapelib.sh
Binary-package: plait (1.5.2-1)
    file: /usr/bin/plaiter
    file: /usr/bin/plait
Binary-package: cdrw-taper (0.4-2)
    file: /usr/sbin/amlabel-cdrw
Binary-package: konwert-filters (1.8-11.1)
    file: /usr/share/konwert/filters/any-UTF8
Binary-package: gdrae (0.1-1)
    file: /usr/bin/gdrae
Binary-package: lazarus-src (0.9.24-0-9)
    file: /usr/lib/lazarus/tools/install/create_lazarus_export_tgz.sh

Message #10 received at 496391@bugs.debian.org (full text, mbox):

From: "Steve M. Robbins" <steve@sumost.ca>
To: "Dmitry E. Oboukhov" <dimka@uvw.ru>, 496391@bugs.debian.org
Cc: control@bugs.debian.org
Subject: Re: Bug#496391: The possibility of attack with the help of
	symlinks in some Debian packages
Date: Sun, 24 Aug 2008 14:42:25 -0500

[Message part 1 (text/plain, inline)]

severity 496391 normal
thanks

On Sun, Aug 24, 2008 at 10:05:30PM +0400, Dmitry E. Oboukhov wrote:

> In some packages I've discovered scripts with errors which may be used
> by a user for damaging important system files or user's files.

> Binary-package: gccxml (0.9.0+cvs20080525-1)
>     file: /usr/share/gccxml-0.9/MIPSpro/find_flags

I'm resetting the severity of this, on the assumption that no
reasonable person will go out of their way to run a script for MIPS
pro on linux, with a privileged account.

-Steve

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Message #21 received at 496391@bugs.debian.org (full text, mbox):

From: Bill Hoffman <bill.hoffman@kitware.com>
To: 496391@bugs.debian.org
Subject: Issue fixed upstream
Date: Mon, 21 Sep 2009 09:08:44 -0400

This issue has been fixed in GCCXML for some time now (Dec 2008).

-Bill

Message #26 received at 496391@bugs.debian.org (full text, mbox):

From: "Steve M. Robbins" <steve@sumost.ca>
To: Bill Hoffman <bill.hoffman@kitware.com>, 496391@bugs.debian.org
Subject: Re: Bug#496391: Issue fixed upstream
Date: Mon, 21 Sep 2009 21:26:19 -0500

[Message part 1 (text/plain, inline)]

On Mon, Sep 21, 2009 at 09:08:44AM -0400, Bill Hoffman wrote:
> This issue has been fixed in GCCXML for some time now (Dec 2008).

Really?  I'm looking at :pserver:anoncvs@www.gccxml.org:/cvsroot/GCC_XML
and I don't see any change on the file in question since 2005.  The file
is the same as that which provoked the bug report.  Am I looking in
the wrong place?


steve@riemann{MIPSpro}cvs log find_flags          

RCS file: /cvsroot/GCC_XML/gccxml/GCC_XML/Support/MIPSpro/find_flags,v
Working file: find_flags                                              
head: 1.5                                                             
branch:                                 
[...]
keyword substitution: kv
total revisions: 5;     selected revisions: 5
description:
----------------------------
revision 1.5
date: 2005-08-01 17:11:33 -0500;  author: king;  state: Exp;  lines: +74 -8;
ENH: Added support to detect some internally defined macros in the MIPSpro compiler.  Now more than just -LANG:std => _STANDARD_C_PLUS_PLUS is supported.
----------------------------
revision 1.4
[...]


Regards,
-Steve

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Message #31 received at 496391@bugs.debian.org (full text, mbox):

From: Brad King <brad.king@kitware.com>
To: 496391@bugs.debian.org
Subject: Fixed upstream, for real
Date: Tue, 22 Sep 2009 09:25:54 -0400

Hi Folks,

This bug was reported upstream and partly fixed in Dec 2008:

  http://www.gccxml.org/Bug/view.php?id=8083

There were *two* scripts with the problem.  One was MIPSpro/find_flags,
the other was "gccxml_find_flags" which was the one fixed (and later
replaced by a C++ implementation anyway).  At the time I missed that
the MIPSpro one evaluates content of the file from /tmp in a shell
as command-line arguments, permitting the back-tick evaluation attack.

No one ever re-opened the bug to point that out or forwarded this
Debian report upstream until now.  I re-opened the upstream report
with a link to this report, committed a fix, and closed it again
with a reference to the commit.

-Brad

Message #36 received at 496391@bugs.debian.org (full text, mbox):

From: "Steve M. Robbins" <steve@sumost.ca>
To: Brad King <brad.king@kitware.com>, 496391@bugs.debian.org
Subject: Re: Bug#496391: Fixed upstream, for real
Date: Tue, 22 Sep 2009 19:45:19 -0500

[Message part 1 (text/plain, inline)]

Hi Brad,


On Tue, Sep 22, 2009 at 09:25:54AM -0400, Brad King wrote:

> No one ever re-opened the bug to point that out or forwarded this
> Debian report upstream until now.

True.  The attack appeared to be rather theoretical in the Debian
context.  I didn't consider it high priority and then it slipped from
my mind.

Thanks for fixing it!

-Steve

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