CVE-2013-4288: Race Condition
Race condition in PolicyKit (aka polkit) allows local users to bypass intended PolicyKit restrictions and gain privileges by starting a setuid or pkexec process before the authorization check is performed, related to (1) the polkitunixprocessnew API function, (2) the dbus API, or (3) the --process (unix-process) option for authorization to pkcheck.
Other sources
Sebastian Krahmer reported a race condition in the polkit unix-process subject for authorization. It depended on the (PID, startuptime) pair to be passed to pokkit, which then used /proc/PID/status to find the UID the process belongs to. A local attacker could exploit this issue via a polkit enabled application, by starting a suid or pkexec process, changing the eud and/or uid at will. This could result in bypass polkit authorizations or even privilege escalation in some cases.
— Red Hat
Affected Software
Remediation
Patch Available
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2013-4288?
CVE-2013-4288 has a high severity rating due to its potential to allow local users to bypass PolicyKit restrictions.
How do I fix CVE-2013-4288?
To fix CVE-2013-4288, update to the latest version of polkit or apply the appropriate patches provided for your operating system.
Which systems are affected by CVE-2013-4288?
CVE-2013-4288 affects OpenSUSE versions 12.2 and 12.3, Ubuntu versions 10.04, 12.04, 12.10, 13.04, and Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.0.
Who can exploit CVE-2013-4288?
CVE-2013-4288 can be exploited by local users who can start setuid or pkexec processes before the authorization check.
What are the implications of CVE-2013-4288?
The implications of CVE-2013-4288 include unauthorized privilege escalation, allowing attackers to gain higher system access.