Description
storeBackup.pl in storeBackup through 3.5 relies on the /tmp/storeBackup.lock pathname, which allows symlink attacks that possibly lead to privilege escalation. (Local users can also create a plain file named /tmp/storeBackup.lock to block use of storeBackup until an admin manually deletes that file.)
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 | storebackup | 3.2.1-2 | — |
| Debian 13 | storebackup | 3.2.1-2 | — |
| Debian 12 | storebackup | 3.2.1-2 | — |
| Debian 8 | storebackup | 3.2.1-1+deb8u1 | DLA-2095-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | storebackup | 3.2.1-1+deb8u1build0.20.04.1 | USN-4508-1 |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | storebackup | 3.2.1-1+deb8u1build0.18.04.1 | USN-4508-1 |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | storebackup | 3.2.1-1+deb8u1build0.16.04.1 | USN-4508-1 |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUSE Package Hub 15 SP1 | storeBackup | 3.5-bp151.4.3.1 | openSUSE-SU-2020:0119-1 |
| SUSE Package Hub 15 | storeBackup | 3.5-bp151.4.3.1 | openSUSE-SU-2020:0119-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | storeBackup | 3.5-13.2 | openSUSE-SU-2024:11410-1 |
| openSUSE Leap 15.1 | storeBackup | 3.5-bp151.4.3.1 | openSUSE-SU-2020:0119-1 |
Advisories 4
- DLA-2095-1 storebackup - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- USN-4508-1 storebackup vulnerability Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Feb 10, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2020:0119-1 Security update for storeBackup SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:11410-1 storeBackup-3.5-13.2 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- https://bugzilla.suse.com/show_bug.cgi?id=CVE-2020-7040
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2020/01/20/3
- [oss-security] CVE-2020-7040: storeBackup: denial of service and symlink attack vector via fixed lockfile path /tmp/storeBackup.lock mailing-list
- [oss-security] 20200121 Re: CVE-2020-7040: storeBackup: denial of service and symlink attack vector via fixed lockfile path /tmp/storeBackup.lock mailing-list
- [oss-security] 20200122 Re: CVE-2020-7040: storeBackup: denial of service and symlink attack vector via fixed lockfile path /tmp/storeBackup.lock mailing-list
- [oss-security] 20200122 Re: CVE-2020-7040: storeBackup: denial of service and symlink attack vector via fixed lockfile path /tmp/storeBackup.lock mailing-list
- [oss-security] 20200123 Re: CVE-2020-7040: storeBackup: denial of service and symlink attack vector via fixed lockfile path /tmp/storeBackup.lock mailing-list
- openSUSE-SU-2020:0119 vendor-advisory
- [debian-lts-announce] 20200205 [SECURITY] [DLA 2095-1] storebackup security update mailing-list
- USN-4508-1 vendor-advisory