CVE-2009-4135: Medium severity ubuntu vulnerability

Published Dec 7, 2009
·
Updated

The "distcheck" Makefile rule in coreutils 5.2.1 through to 8.1 did use unsafe (predictable) temporary directory location for performing own tasks. This might allow local attacker to conduct symlink attacks under certain circumstances.

Upstream patch: --------------- http://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/coreutils.git/commit/?id=ae034822c535fa5

Credit: ------- Jim Meyering

CVE Request: ------------ http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/12/08/4

Other sources

The distcheck rule in dist-check.mk in GNU coreutils 5.2.1 through 8.1 allows local users to gain privileges via a symlink attack on a file in a directory tree under /tmp.

Red Hat

Affected Software

31 affected components
Ubuntu=10.04
Ubuntu=12.04
Ubuntu=14.04
GNU Coreutils=5.2.1
GNU Coreutils=5.91
GNU Coreutils=5.92
GNU Coreutils=5.93
GNU Coreutils=5.94
GNU Coreutils=5.95
GNU Coreutils=5.96
GNU Coreutils=5.97
GNU Coreutils=6.2
GNU Coreutils=6.3
GNU Coreutils=6.4
GNU Coreutils=6.5
GNU Coreutils=6.6
GNU Coreutils=6.7
GNU Coreutils=6.8
GNU Coreutils=6.9
GNU Coreutils=6.10
GNU Coreutils=6.11
GNU Coreutils=6.12
GNU Coreutils=7.1
GNU Coreutils=7.2
GNU Coreutils=7.3
GNU Coreutils=7.4
GNU Coreutils=7.5
GNU Coreutils=7.6
GNU Coreutils=8.1
fedoraproject fedora=11
fedoraproject fedora=12

Event History

Dec 7, 2009
CVE Published
via Red Hat·12:00 AM
Data Sourced
via Red Hat·12:00 AM
RemedyDescriptionSeverity
Dec 8, 2009
Data Sourced
via Red Hat·03:35 PM
Affected Software
Dec 11, 2009
CVE Published
via MITRE·04:00 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·04:00 PM
Description
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Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2009-4135?

CVE-2009-4135 is considered a medium severity vulnerability that allows local users to gain elevated privileges.

2

How do I fix CVE-2009-4135?

To fix CVE-2009-4135, update GNU coreutils to a version later than 8.1 or apply security patches provided by your distribution.

3

Which versions of GNU coreutils are affected by CVE-2009-4135?

CVE-2009-4135 affects GNU coreutils versions from 5.2.1 through 8.1.

4

Can CVE-2009-4135 be exploited remotely?

No, CVE-2009-4135 can only be exploited locally by logged-in users.

5

What impact does CVE-2009-4135 have on affected systems?

CVE-2009-4135 can lead to privilege escalation, allowing local users to execute commands with elevated privileges.

Contact

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