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Gentoo Linux Security Advisory                           GLSA 200411-09
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                                            http://security.gentoo.org/
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  Severity: Low
     Title: shadow: Unauthorized modification of account information
      Date: November 04, 2004
      Bugs: #69212
        ID: 200411-09

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Synopsis
========

A flaw in the chfn and chsh utilities might allow modification of
account properties by unauthorized users.

Background
==========

shadow provides a set of utilities to deal with user accounts.

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

    -------------------------------------------------------------------
     Package          /  Vulnerable  /                      Unaffected
    -------------------------------------------------------------------
  1  sys-apps/shadow     < 4.0.5-r1                        >= 4.0.5-r1

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

Martin Schulze reported a flaw in the passwd_check() function in
"libmisc/pwdcheck.c" which is used by chfn and chsh.

Impact
======

A local attacker may be able to use chfn and chsh to change the
standard shell of other users or modify their GECOS information (full
name, phone number...).

Workaround
==========

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution
==========

All shadow users should upgrade to the latest version:

    # emerge --sync
    # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=sys-apps/shadow-4.0.5-r1"

References
==========

  [ 1 ] shadow NEWS file
        http://ftp.pld.org.pl/software/shadow/NEWS

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

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

  http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200411-09.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 2004 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/1.0