#VU19283 Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following') in GNU patch - CVE-2019-13636


| Updated: 2019-07-22

Vulnerability identifier: #VU19283

Vulnerability risk: Low

CVSSv4.0: 1.1 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:L/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Clear]

CVE-ID: CVE-2019-13636

CWE-ID: CWE-59

Exploitation vector: Local

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
GNU patch
Operating systems & Components / Operating system package or component

Vendor: GNU

Description

The vulnerability allows a local user to gain unauthorized access to files or directories on a targeted system.

The vulnerability exists due to the software mishandles the following of symlinks in certain cases other than input files in the "inp.c" and "util.c" files. A local authenticated user can gain unauthorized access to read or modify files and directories on a targeted system.

Mitigation
Cybersecurity Help is currently unaware of any official solution to address this vulnerability.

Vulnerable software versions

GNU patch: 2.1 - 2.7.6

External links
https://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/patch.git/commit/?id=dce4683cbbe107a95f1f0d45fabc304acfb5d71a
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2019/07/msg00016.html

Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

No. This vulnerability can be exploited locally. The attacker should have authentication credentials and successfully authenticate on the system.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.


Latest bulletins with this vulnerability


SUSE update for patch
SUSE update for patch
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 update for patch
Gentoo update for Patch
Debian update for patch
Improper Link Resolution Before File Access (\'Link Following\') in patch (Alpine package)
Privilege escalation in GNU patch