CVE-2015-5224
First published: Tue Aug 25 2015(Updated: )
The following vulnerability in util-linux was announced (taken from <a href="http://seclists.org/oss-sec/2015/q3/423">http://seclists.org/oss-sec/2015/q3/423</a>): """ If the chfn and chsh binaries (both setuid-root) from util-linux/login-utils are compiled WITHOUT libuser support, they eventually call mkostemp(localtmp, O_RDWR|O_CREAT|O_EXCL|O_CLOEXEC); where localtmp is "/etc/%s.XXXXXX" and %s is __progname (i.e., argv[0]'s basename). An attacker could repeatedly execve chfn as "ld.so" until mkostemp() creates "/etc/ld.so.preload" (after a few days, in our tests). This particular example doesn't actually work, because "preload" is 7 chars and "XXXXXX" is 6 chars, but it seems there are other interesting possibilities, like "/etc/rc.status" and "/etc/krb5.keytab". The impact of this vulnerability is probably very limited: most Linux distributions ship either the chfn/chsh binaries from the shadow-utils (NOT the login-utils ones), or the login-utils ones but WITH libuser support. """ Upstream patch: <a href="https://github.com/karelzak/util-linux/commit/bde91c85bdc77975155058276f99d2e0f5eab5a9">https://github.com/karelzak/util-linux/commit/bde91c85bdc77975155058276f99d2e0f5eab5a9</a>
Credit: secalert@redhat.com
| Affected Software | Affected Version | How to fix |
|---|---|---|
| util-linux | <=2.26.2 | |
| util-linux | =2.27-rc1 |
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Reference Links
- http://seclists.org/oss-sec/2015/q3/423
- https://github.com/karelzak/util-linux/commit/bde91c85bdc77975155058276f99d2e0f5eab5a9
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi/show_bug.cgi?id=1256751
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1256686
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2015/08/24/3
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/76467
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2015-5224?
CVE-2015-5224 has a medium severity rating due to its potential for privilege escalation.
How do I fix CVE-2015-5224?
To fix CVE-2015-5224, upgrade util-linux to version 2.27 or later or ensure it is compiled with libuser support.
What are the affected versions of util-linux in CVE-2015-5224?
The affected versions include util-linux versions prior to 2.27 and 2.26.2 or lower.
What is the nature of the vulnerability in CVE-2015-5224?
CVE-2015-5224 is a privilege escalation vulnerability in the setuid-root binaries chfn and chsh when compiled without libuser support.
Can applications using util-linux be affected by CVE-2015-5224?
Yes, applications that rely on the vulnerable util-linux components can be exploited if they are compiled without appropriate protections.
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