[ GLSA 200711-32 ] Feynmf: Insecure temporary file creation

[GLSA]

Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

Title: Feynmf: Insecure temporary file creation (GLSA 200711-32)
Severity: normal
Exploitable: local
Date: November 20, 2007
Bug(s): #198231
ID: 200711-32

Synopsis


A vulnerability has been discovered in Feynmf allowing local users to
overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack.


Background


Feynmf is a combined LaTeX and Metafont package for easy drawing of
professional quality Feynman (and maybe other) diagrams.


Affected Packages

Package: dev-tex/feynmf
Vulnerable: < 1.08-r2
Unaffected: >= 1.08-r2
Architectures: All supported architectures


Description


Kevin B. McCarty discovered that the feynmf.pl script creates a
temporary "properly list" file at the location "$TMPDIR/feynmf$PID.pl",
where $PID is the process ID.


Impact


A local attacker could create symbolic links in the directory where the
temporary files are written, pointing to a valid file somewhere on the
filesystem that is writable by the user running Feynmf. When Feynmf
writes the temporary file, the target valid file would then be
overwritten with the contents of the Feynmf temporary file.


Workaround


There is no known workaround at this time.


Resolution


All Feynmf users should upgrade to the latest version: