Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability in SARG Package
Summary
DEBIAN-CVE-2019-18932: log.c in Squid Analysis Report Generator (sarg) through 2.3.11 allows local privilege escalation. Affects sarg versions < 2.4.0-1. Fixed in 2.4.0-1. How to fix ↓
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Background
The Squid Analysis Report Generator (SARG) is a tool used for analyzing and reporting on Squid proxy server logs. It provides detailed reports on web usage, allowing administrators to monitor and manage internet usage effectively. However, versions prior to 2.4.0-1 of SARG are susceptible to a local privilege escalation vulnerability due to insecure handling of temporary directories.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability exists in the log.c file of SARG versions up to 2.3.11, where it creates or reuses a temporary directory (/tmp/sarg) in an insecure manner. An attacker can exploit this by pre-creating the directory and placing symlinks within it, leading to a race condition. This can result in the corruption of files or the creation of new files in privileged file system locations, potentially allowing unauthorized access or control over sensitive data.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
2.4.0-1
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade sargTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, administrators can change the default temporary directory to a more secure location or implement strict permissions on the /tmp/sarg directory to mitigate the risk of exploitation.
Conclusion
In summary, the local privilege escalation vulnerability in the SARG package poses significant risks to system security. It is crucial for users to update to the patched version to mitigate these risks. Implementing workarounds can provide temporary relief while awaiting updates.
See every vulnerability recorded for sarg →
FAQ
The vulnerability can lead to local privilege escalation, allowing attackers to manipulate files in privileged locations, potentially compromising system security.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.
Yes, the vulnerability is patched in SARG version 2.4.0-1 and later. It is recommended to update to this version or higher.
If immediate updates are not possible, consider implementing workarounds such as changing the temporary directory or adjusting permissions to limit exposure.
More information about SARG and its functionalities can be found on its official documentation and community forums.
References
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