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.
Platforms Affected:
- freedesktop, PolicyKit 0.7
- freedesktop, PolicyKit 0.7-2
- MandrakeSoft, Mandrake Linux 2008.1
- MandrakeSoft, Mandrake Linux 2008.1 X86_64
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.
Consequences:
Gain Access
References:
- Bugzilla ¿ Bug 15295, format string vulnerability in password input at http://bugs.freedesktop.org/show_bug.cgi?id=15295.
- FEDORA-2008-2987, [SECURITY] Fedora 8 Update: PolicyKit-0.6-2.fc8 at https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-package-announce/2008-April/msg00176.html.
- freedesktop.org Web site, PolicyKit at http://www.freedesktop.org\.
- Launchpad Bug #205037, policykit or policykit-gnome do not work with passwords containing "%" character at https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/policykit/+bug/205037.
- 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
Reported:
Mar 22, 2008
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