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A new security update has been released for Gentoo Linux - SplitVT: Privilege escalation. Here the announcement:



Gentoo Linux Security Advisory GLSA 200803-05
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http://security.gentoo.org/
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Severity: High
Title: SplitVT: Privilege escalation
Date: March 03, 2008
Bugs: #211240
ID: 200803-05

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Synopsis
========

A vulnerability in SplitVT may allow local users to gain escalated
privileges.

Background
==========

SplitVT is a program for splitting terminals into two shells.

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

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Package / Vulnerable / Unaffected
-------------------------------------------------------------------
1 app-misc/splitvt < 1.6.6-r1 >= 1.6.6-r1

Description
===========

Mike Ashton reported that SplitVT does not drop group privileges before
executing the xprop utility.

Impact
======

A local attacker could exploit this vulnerability to gain the "utmp"
group privileges.

Workaround
==========

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution
==========

All SplitVT users should upgrade to the latest version:

# emerge --sync
# emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=app-misc/splitvt-1.6.6-r1"

References
==========

[ 1 ] CVE-2008-0162
http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2008-0162

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

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

http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200803-05.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 2008 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/2.5