PolicyKit grant helper format string
| policykit-granthelper-format-string (41877) |  High Risk |
Description:
PolicyKit could allow a local attacker to execute arbitrary code on the system, caused by a format string vulnerability in the grant helper when processing authentication requests to restricted areas. By sending a specially-crafted password containing format string specifiers, a local attacker could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on the system.
*CVSS:
| Base Score: | 4.6 |
| Access Vector: | Local |
| Access Complexity: | Low |
| Authentication: | None |
| Confidentiality Impact: | Partial |
| Integrity Impact: | Partial |
| Availability Impact: | Partial |
| Temporal Score: | 3.4 |
| Exploitability: | Unproven |
| Remediation Level: | Official-Fix |
| Report Confidence: | Confirmed |
Consequences:
Gain Access
Remedy:
Upgrade to the latest version of PolicyKit (0.7-3 or later), available from the freedesktop.org Web site. See References.
For other distributions:
Apply the appropriate update for your system. See References.
References:
- Bugzilla - Bug 15295: format string vulnerability in password input.
- FEDORA-2008-2987: [SECURITY] Fedora 8 Update: PolicyKit-0.6-2.fc8.
- freedesktop.org Web site: PolicyKit.
- Launchpad Bug #205037: policykit or policykit-gnome do not work with passwords containing "%" character.
- BID-28702: PolicyKit Grant Helper Password Handling Local Format String Vulnerability
- CVE-2008-1658: Format string vulnerability in the grant helper (polkit-grant-helper.c) in PolicyKit 0.7 and earlier allows attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via format strings in a password.
- MDVSA-2008:087: Updated policykit package fixes format string vulnerability
- SA29755: Fedora update for PolicyKit
Platforms Affected:
- freedesktop PolicyKit 0.7
- freedesktop PolicyKit 0.7-2
- MandrakeSoft Mandrake Linux 2008.1 X86_64
- MandrakeSoft Mandrake Linux 2008.1
Reported:
Mar 22, 2008
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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.