Scientific Linux Security Update : gdm on SL5.x i386/x86_64

medium Nessus Plugin ID 60652

Synopsis

The remote Scientific Linux host is missing one or more security updates.

Description

CVE-2009-2697 gdm not built with tcp_wrappers

A flaw was found in the way the gdm package was built. The gdm package was missing TCP wrappers support, which could result in an administrator believing they had access restrictions enabled when they did not. (CVE-2009-2697)

This update also fixes the following bugs :

- the GDM Reference Manual is now included with the gdm packages. The gdm-docs package installs this document in HTML format in '/usr/share/doc/'. (BZ#196054)

- GDM appeared in English on systems using Telugu (te_IN).
With this update, GDM has been localized in te_IN.
(BZ#226931)

- the Ctrl+Alt+Backspace sequence resets the X server when in runlevel 5. In previous releases, however, repeated use of this sequence prevented GDM from starting the X server as part of the reset process. This was because GDM sometimes did not notice the X server shutdown properly and would subsequently fail to complete the reset process. This update contains an added check to explicitly notify GDM whenever the X server is terminated, ensuring that resets are executed reliably.
(BZ#441971)

- the 'gdm' user is now part of the 'audio' group by default. This enables audio support at the login screen.
(BZ#458331)

- the gui/modules/dwellmouselistener.c source code contained incorrect XInput code that prevented tablet devices from working properly. This update removes the errant code, ensuring that tablet devices work as expected. (BZ#473262)

- a bug in the XOpenDevice() function prevented the X server from starting whenever a device defined in '/etc/X11/xorg.conf' was not actually plugged in. This update wraps XOpenDevice() in the gdk_error_trap_pop() and gdk_error_trap_push() functions, which resolves this bug. This ensures that the X server can start properly even when devices defined in '/etc/X11/xorg.conf' are not plugged in. (BZ#474588)

GDM must be restarted for this update to take effect. Rebooting achieves this, but changing the runlevel from 5 to 3 and back to 5 also restarts GDM.

Note: setup needed to be updated for dependencies.

Solution

Update the affected gdm, gdm-docs and / or setup packages.

See Also

https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=196054

https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=226931

https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=441971

https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=458331

https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=473262

https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=474588

http://www.nessus.org/u?789ed216

Plugin Details

Severity: Medium

ID: 60652

File Name: sl_20090902_gdm_on_SL5_x.nasl

Version: 1.5

Type: local

Agent: unix

Published: 8/1/2012

Updated: 1/14/2021

Supported Sensors: Nessus Agent, Nessus

Risk Information

VPR

Risk Factor: Medium

Score: 5.2

CVSS v2

Risk Factor: Medium

Base Score: 6.8

Vector: CVSS2#AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P

Vulnerability Information

CPE: x-cpe:/o:fermilab:scientific_linux

Required KB Items: Host/local_checks_enabled, Host/cpu, Host/RedHat/release, Host/RedHat/rpm-list

Patch Publication Date: 9/2/2009

Reference Information

CVE: CVE-2009-2697

CWE: 287