Description
The (1) maketemp and (2) mkstemp builtin functions in GNU m4 before 1.4.11 do not quote their output when a file is created, which might allow context-dependent attackers to trigger a macro expansion, leading to unspecified use of an incorrect filename.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | m4 | No fix yet | — |
| Debian 13 | m4 | No fix yet | — |
| Debian 12 | m4 | No fix yet | — |
References
- ADV-2008-1151 vdb-entry
- 28688 vdb-entry
- [oss-security] 20080407 Re: Security fixes in m4-1.4.11 mailing-list
- gnu-m4-macros-weak-security(41706) vdb-entry
- 29671 third-party-advisory
- [oss-security] 20080406 Re: Security fixes in m4-1.4.11 mailing-list
- [oss-security] 20080407 Re: Security fixes in m4-1.4.11 mailing-list
- 29729 third-party-advisory
- [oss-security] 20080406 Security fixes in m4-1.4.11 mailing-list
- SSA:2008-098-01 vendor-advisory