GNU Emacs hack-local-variables function security bypass
| emacs-hacklocalvariables-security-bypass (38263) |  Medium Risk |
Description:
GNU Emacs could allow a remote attacker to bypass security restrictions, caused by an error in the hack-local-variables function. By persuading a victim to open a file with the "enable-local-variables" set to ":safe", a remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability to bypass security restrictions and execute arbitrary Emacs Lisp code on the vulnerable system.
*CVSS:
| Base Score: | 6.8 |
| Access Vector: | Network |
| Access Complexity: | Medium |
| Authentication: | None |
| Confidentiality Impact: | Partial |
| Integrity Impact: | Partial |
| Availability Impact: | Partial |
| Temporal Score: | 5 |
| Exploitability: | Unproven |
| Remediation Level: | Official-Fix |
| Report Confidence: | Confirmed |
Consequences:
Bypass Security
Remedy:
Apply patch available from the GNU Emacs CVS Repository. See References.
For Mac OS X:
Apply Security Update 2008-002, available from the Apple Web site. See References.
For other distributions:
Apply the appropriate upgrade for your system. See References.
References:
- Apple Web site: About Security Update 2008-002.
- Debian Bug report logs - #449008: emacs22-common: enable-local-variables :safe mode acts like :all.
- GNU Emacs CVS Repository: GNU Emacs.
- GNU Project Web site: GNU Emacs.
- BID-26327: GNU Emacs Local Variable Handling Code Execution Vulnerability
- CVE-2007-5795: The hack-local-variables function in Emacs before 22.2, when enable-local-variables is set to :safe, does not properly search lists of unsafe or risky variables, which might allow user-assisted attackers to bypass intended restrictions and modify critical program variables via a file containing a Local variables declaration.
- GLSA-200712-03: GNU Emacs: Multiple vulnerabilities
- MDVSA-2008:034: Updated emacs packages fix vulnerabilities
- SA27508: GNU Emacs Local Variable Processing Vulnerability
- SA29420: Mac OS X Security Update Fixes Multiple Vulnerabilities
- USN-541-1: Emacs vulnerability
- VUPEN/ADV-2007-3715: GNU Emacs Local Variable Processing Security Bypass Vulnerability
- VUPEN/ADV-2008-0924: Apple Mac OS X Command Execution and Security Bypass Issues
Platforms Affected:
- Apple Mac OS X 10.5.2
- Apple Mac OS X Server 10.5.2
- Application Security AppDetective
- Canonical Ubuntu 7.10
- Gentoo Linux
- GNU emacs 20.0
- GNU emacs 20.1
- GNU emacs 20.2
- GNU emacs 20.3
- GNU emacs 20.4
- GNU emacs 20.5
- GNU emacs 20.6
- GNU emacs 21
- GNU emacs 21.2.1
- GNU emacs 21.3
- GNU emacs 21.3.1
- GNU emacs 21.4a
- GNU emacs 22.1
- MandrakeSoft Mandrake Linux 2007
- MandrakeSoft Mandrake Linux 2007 X86_64
- MandrakeSoft Mandrake Linux 2007.1 X86_64
- MandrakeSoft Mandrake Linux 2007.1
- MandrakeSoft Mandrake Linux 2008.0 X86_64
- MandrakeSoft Mandrake Linux 2008.0
- MandrakeSoft Mandrake Linux Corporate Server 3.0 X86_64
- MandrakeSoft Mandrake Linux Corporate Server 3.0
- MandrakeSoft Mandrake Linux Corporate Server 4.0 X86_64
- MandrakeSoft Mandrake Linux Corporate Server 4.0
Reported:
Nov 02, 2007
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* According to the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST), the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) is an "industry open standard designed to convey vulnerability severity and help to determine urgency and priority of response." IBM PROVIDES THE CVSS SCORES "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. CUSTOMERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF ANY ACTUAL OR POTENTIAL SECURITY VULNERABILITY.
The information within this database may change without notice. Use of this information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS condition. There are NO warranties, implied or otherwise, with regard to this information or its use. Any use of this information is at the user's risk. In no event shall IBM be held liable for any damages whatsoever arising out of or in connection with the use or spread of this information.