Vulnerability identifier: #VU79521

Vulnerability risk: Low

CVSSv3.1: 5.8 [CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C]

CVE-ID: CVE-2021-35938

CWE-ID: CWE-59

Exploitation vector: Local

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
rpm
/

Vendor:

Description

The vulnerability allows a local privileged user to escalate privileges on the system.

The vulnerability occurs when rpm sets the desired permissions and credentials after installing a file. A local privileged user can use this flaw to exchange the original file with a symbolic link to a security-critical file and escalate their privileges on the system.

Mitigation
Install updates from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

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External links
http://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1964114
http://github.com/rpm-software-management/rpm/pull/1919
http://bugzilla.suse.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1157880
http://github.com/rpm-software-management/rpm/commit/25a435e90844ea98fe5eb7bef22c1aecf3a9c033
http://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2021-35938
http://rpm.org/wiki/Releases/4.18.0
http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202210-22

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

No. This vulnerability can be exploited locally. The attacker should have authentication credentials and successfully authenticate on the system.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

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