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A MySQL security update is available for Gentoo Linux

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Gentoo Linux Security Advisory GLSA 200409-02
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http://security.gentoo.org/
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Severity: Normal
Title: MySQL: Insecure temporary file creation in mysqlhotcopy
Date: September 01, 2004
Bugs: #60744
ID: 200409-02

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Synopsis
=======

The mysqlhotcopy utility can create temporary files with predictable paths, allowing an attacker to use a symlink to trick MySQL into overwriting important data.



Background
=========

MySQL is a popular open-source multi-threaded, multi-user SQL database server.

Affected packages
================

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Package / Vulnerable / Unaffected
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1 dev-db/mysql = 4.0.20-r1

Description
==========

Jeroen van Wolffelaar discovered that the MySQL database hot copy utility (mysqlhotcopy.sh), when using the scp method, uses temporary files with predictable names. A malicious local user with write access to the /tmp directory could create a symbolic link pointing to a file, which may then be overwritten. In cases where mysqlhotcopy is run as root, a malicious user could create a symlink to a critical file such as /etc/passwd and cause it to be overwritten.

Impact
=====

A local attacker could use this vulnerability to destroy other users' data or corrupt and destroy system files, possibly leading to a denial of service condition.

Workaround
=========

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution
=========

All MySQL users should upgrade to the latest version:

# emerge sync

# emerge -pv ">=dev-db/mysql-4.0.20-r1"
# emerge ">=dev-db/mysql-4.0.20-r1"

References
=========

[ 1 ] CAN-2004-0457
http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CAN-2004-0457

Availability
===========

This GLSA and any updates to it are available for viewing at the Gentoo Security Website:

http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200409-02.xml

Concerns?
========

Security is a primary focus of Gentoo Linux and ensuring the confidentiality and security of our users machines is of utmost importance to us. Any security concerns should be addressed to security@gentoo.org or alternatively, you may file a bug at http://bugs.gentoo.org.

License
======

Copyright 2004 Gentoo Foundation, Inc; referenced text belongs to its owner(s).

The contents of this document are licensed under the Creative Commons - Attribution / Share Alike license.

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/1.0