Gentoo: GLSA-201810-09: X.Org X Server: Privilege escalation
Summary
An incorrect permission check for -modulepath and -logfile options when starting Xorg. X server allows unprivileged users with the ability to log in to the system via physical console to escalate their privileges and run arbitrary code under root privileges.
Resolution
All X.Org X Server users should upgrade to the latest version:
# emerge --sync
# emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=x11-base/xorg-server-1.20.3"
References
[ 1 ] CVE-2018-14665 https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-14665
Availability
This GLSA and any updates to it are available for viewing at
the Gentoo Security Website:
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201810-09
Concerns
Security is a primary focus of Gentoo Linux and ensuring the confidentiality and security of our users' machines is of utmost importance to us. Any security concerns should be addressed to security@gentoo.org or alternatively, you may file a bug at https://bugs.gentoo.org.
Background
The X Window System is a graphical windowing system based on a client/server model.
Affected Packages
------------------------------------------------------------------- Package / Vulnerable / Unaffected ------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 x11-base/xorg-server < 1.20.3 >= 1.20.3
Impact
===== A local attacker can escalate privileges to root by passing crafted parameters to the X.org X server.
Workaround
There is no known workaround at this time.