Gentoo Linux Security Advisory GLSA 200804-12

                                        http://security.gentoo.org/

Severity: Normal
Title: gnome-screensaver: Privilege escalation
Date: April 11, 2008
Bugs: #213940
ID: 200804-12

Synopsis

gnome-screensaver allows local users to bypass authentication under
certain configurations.

Background

gnome-screensaver is a screensaver, designed to integrate with the
Gnome desktop, that can replace xscreensaver.

Affected packages

-------------------------------------------------------------------
 Package                        /   Vulnerable   /      Unaffected
-------------------------------------------------------------------

1 gnome-extra/gnome-screensaver < 2.20.0-r3 >= 2.20.0-r3

Description

gnome-screensaver incorrectly handles the results of the getpwuid()
function in the file src/setuid.c when using directory servers (like
NIS) during a network outage, a similar issue to GLSA 200705-14.

Impact

A local user can crash gnome-xscreensaver by preventing network
connectivity if the system uses a remote directory service for
credentials such as NIS or LDAP, which will unlock the screen.

Workaround

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution

All gnome-screensaver users should upgrade to the latest version:

# emerge --sync
# emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=gnome-extra/gnome-screensaver-2.20.0-r3"

References

[ 1 ] CVE-2008-0887
http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2008-0887
[ 2 ] GLSA 200705-14
http://www.gentoo.org/security/en/glsa/glsa-200705-14.xml

Availability

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

http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200804-12.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
[email protected] or alternatively, you may file a bug at
http://bugs.gentoo.org.

License

Copyright 2008 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/2.5