LSAT: Insecure temporary file creation

Background

The Linux Security Auditing Tool (LSAT) is a post install security auditor which checks many system configurations and local network settings on the system for common security or configuration errors and for packages that are not needed.

Description

LSAT insecurely writes in /tmp with a predictable filename.

Impact

A local attacker could create symbolic links in the temporary files directory, pointing to a valid file somewhere on the filesystem. When the LSAT script is executed, this would result in the file being overwritten with the rights of the user running the software, which could be the root user.

Workaround

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution

All lsat users should upgrade to the latest version:

 # emerge --sync
 # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=app-admin/lsat-0.9.5"