Exploits Discovered - Published CVE-2017-15945

Title: Gentoo MySQL-family root privilege escalation through ebuild chown operations

Author: Michael Orlitzky

Fixed in: Commits 5a4dfd9, 40984ff, and b19f619

Several Gentoo MySQL-family ebuild phase functions performed privileged chown operations on paths that a local user could influence. By replacing a target with a link during package configuration or post-installation, an attacker could redirect the ownership change to another file and gain root.

Michael Orlitzky’s detailed advisory provides the full technical disclosure and remediation references for CVE-2017-15945.

Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) provides standard public identifiers for known cybersecurity vulnerabilities. MITRE maintains the CVE program and coordinates its vulnerability-identification ecosystem in the public interest.

Founded in 1994, Metro Data, Inc. is an information-systems and services firm that works exclusively with business clients to develop and apply technology solutions aligned with client goals.

Metro Data’s end-to-end experience helps customers keep pace with changing technology, secure systems, reduce costs, and improve information-system performance.

Michael J. Orlitzky is a long-time Metro Data technical leader with a Ph.D. in mathematics who has discovered and helped remediate vulnerabilities in operating systems and application software, with research recognized by industry and academic peers.