Path traversal in git.kernel linux-pam

1) Path traversal

EUVDB-ID: #VU41841

Risk: Medium

CVSSv3.1: 5.7 [CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N/E:U/RL:O/RC:C]

CVE-ID: CVE-2014-2583

CWE-ID: CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')

Exploit availability: No

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote non-authenticated attacker to read and manipulate data.

Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in pam_timestamp.c in the pam_timestamp module for Linux-PAM (aka pam) 1.1.8 allow local users to create arbitrary files or possibly bypass authentication via a .. (dot dot) in the (1) PAM_RUSER value to the get_ruser function or (2) PAM_TTY value to the check_tty function, which is used by the format_timestamp_name function.

Mitigation

Install update from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

linux-pam: 1.1.8

External links

http://secunia.com/advisories/57317
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2014/03/24/5
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2014/03/26/10
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2014/03/31/6
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/66493
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2935-1
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2935-2
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2935-3
http://git.fedorahosted.org/cgit/linux-pam.git/commit/?id=Linux-PAM-1_1_8-32-g9dcead8
http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201605-05

Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the Internet.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.