Security update for package man

Knowledgebase

(Last modified: 14JUL2003)

solutions Security update for package man SuSE Linux Maintenance Web (81b701c55e5bc04d766230fc1e079cc7)

Applies to

Product(s): SuSE Linux Database Server
SuSE eMail Server 3.1
SuSE eMail Server III
SuSE Firewall Adminhost VPN
SuSE Linux Admin-CD for Firewall
SuSE Firewall on CD 2 - VPN
SuSE Firewall on CD 2
SuSE Linux Enterprise Server for S/390
SuSE Linux Connectivity Server
SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 7 for IA32
SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 7 for IA64
SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 7 for PowerPC
SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 7 for S/390 and zSeries
SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 7 for IBM zSeries
SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 8 for x86
SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 8 for IBM iSeries and IBM pSeries
SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 8 for IBM S/390 and IBM zSeries
SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 8 for IBM zSeries
SuSE Linux Office Server
SuSE Linux Openexchange Server 4
SuSE eMail Server II
SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 8 for IPF
SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 8 for AMD64
SuSE Linux Desktop 1.0

Package: man
Release: 20030714
Obsoletes: none

Indications

Everyone should install this update.

Contraindications

None.

Problem description

The mandb program, which is part of the man package, contains a buffer overflow which can be exploited by local attackers to gain the privileges of the user "man". Even though the mandb program is installed setuid to root it is only possible to escalate the privileges to the user "man" since mandb sets its privileges to that user immediately after startup.

Solution

Please install the updates provided at the location noted below.

Installation notes

This update is provided as an RPM package that can easily be installed onto a running system by using this command:
rpm -Fvh man.rpm

links to download packages

Download Source Packages

Download the source code of the patches for maintained products.

Disclaimer

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