gnome-screensaver: Privilege escalation

Background

gnome-screensaver is a screensaver, designed to integrate with the Gnome desktop, that can replace xscreensaver.

Description

gnome-screensaver incorrectly handles the results of the getpwuid() function in the file src/setuid.c when using directory servers (like NIS) during a network outage, a similar issue to GLSA 200705-14.

Impact

A local user can crash gnome-xscreensaver by preventing network connectivity if the system uses a remote directory service for credentials such as NIS or LDAP, which will unlock the screen.

Workaround

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution

All gnome-screensaver users should upgrade to the latest version:

 # emerge --sync
 # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=gnome-extra/gnome-screensaver-2.20.0-r3"