Title: XFree86 libXau Race Condition Vulnerability
Severity: MODERATE
Description:
The libXau library included with XFree86 is susceptible to a possible race condition vulnerability.
The problem exists in the XauLockAuth() function, which is responsible for doing the work necessary to synchronously update an authorization file.
When the function creates a lock file, it uses the system creat() call. The creat() call does not check if the target filename already exists, making the file susceptible to a symbolic link attack.
As a result, it may be possible for a malicious local user to symbolically link this lock file to any file owned by a user running a program that uses the libXau library. This may allow sensitive data to be overwritten, in some situations leading to a denial of service or enabling system compromise if the user can control the file contents.
Affected Products:
- Debian Linux 2.2.0
- RedHat Linux 6.2.0
- RedHat Linux 7.0.0
- RedHat Linux 7.1.0
- XFree86 X11R6 3.3.6
- XFree86 X11R6 4.0.0
- XFree86 X11R6 4.0.1
- XFree86 X11R6 4.0.3
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