Gentoo 2479 Published by

A new security update has been released for Gentoo Linux - SpamAssassin: Execution of arbitrary code. Here the announcement:



Gentoo Linux Security Advisory GLSA 200606-09
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http://security.gentoo.org/
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Severity: High
Title: SpamAssassin: Execution of arbitrary code
Date: June 11, 2006
Bugs: #135746
ID: 200606-09

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Synopsis
========

SpamAssassin, when running with certain options, could allow local or
even remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands, possibly as the
root user.

Background
==========

SpamAssassin is an extensible email filter used to identify junk email.
spamd is the daemonized version of SpamAssassin.

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

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Package / Vulnerable / Unaffected
-------------------------------------------------------------------
1 mail-filter/spamassassin < 3.1.3 >= 3.1.3

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

When spamd is run with both the "--vpopmail" (-v) and "--paranoid" (-P)
options, it is vulnerable to an unspecified issue.

Impact
======

With certain configuration options, a local or even remote attacker
could execute arbitrary code with the rights of the user running spamd,
which is root by default, by sending a crafted message to the spamd
daemon. Furthermore, the attack can be remotely performed if the
"--allowed-ips" (-A) option is present and specifies non-local
adresses. Note that Gentoo Linux is not vulnerable in the default
configuration.

Workaround
==========

Don't use both the "--paranoid" (-P) and the "--vpopmail" (-v) options.

Resolution
==========

All SpamAssassin users should upgrade to the latest version:

# emerge --sync
# emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=mail-filter/spamassassin-3.1.3"

References
==========

[ 1 ] CVE-2006-2447
http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2006-2447

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

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

http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200606-09.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 2006 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