X.Org X Server: Privilege escalation — GLSA 201810-09

A vulnerability in X.Org X Server allows local users to escalate privileges.

Affected packages

Package	x11-base/xorg-server on all architectures
Affected versions	< 1.20.3
Unaffected versions	>= 1.20.3

Background

The X Window System is a graphical windowing system based on a client/server model.

Description

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.

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.

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

CVE-2018-14665

Release date
October 30, 2018

Latest revision
October 30, 2018: 1

Severity
high

Exploitable
local

Bugzilla entries

669588