Severity: High
Title: man-db: privilege escalation
Date: October 08, 2023
Bugs: #662438
ID: 202310-08

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Synopsis
=======
A root privilege escalation through setuid executable and cron job has
been discovered in man-db.

Background
=========
man-db is a man replacement that utilizes BerkeleyDB instead of flat
files.

Affected packages
================
Package Vulnerable Unaffected
--------------- ------------ ------------
sys-apps/man-db < 2.8.5 >= 2.8.5

Description
==========
A root privilege escalation through setuid executable and cron job has
been discovered in man-db. Please review the CVE identifier referenced
below for details.

Impact
=====
A local user with access to the man user or group can elevate privileges
to root.

Workaround
=========
There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution
=========
All man-db users should upgrade to the latest version:

# emerge --sync
# emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=sys-apps/man-db-2.8.5"

References
=========
[ 1 ] CVE-2018-25078
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-25078

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

https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202310-08

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
[email protected] or alternatively, you may file a bug at
https://bugs.gentoo.org.

License
======
Copyright 2023 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.

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5