Local Security Bug in GNU Emacs
A vulnerability in the extended text editor GNU Emacs gives local attackers the ability to run arbitrary code.
Developer Drake Wilson disclosed the vulnerability on the Debian Security mailing list. The error is caused by incorrect behavior of the "hack-local-variables" function if it is set to ":safe". The documentation for the function states that Emacs only runs variables that are declared as safe in this case, but this is not true: Emacs actually ignores the function and uses any local variable. An attacker could exploit this to modify the current user’s init file and execute code by means of a carefully crafted Emacs Lisp file.
The bug affects Emacs version 22.1 and possibly others. The Emacs 22.1 package in the Debian Etch repository does not have the bug says another developer. A fix is available from the CVS repository. The vulnerability has been assigned CVE ID CVE-2007-5795. The GNU Emacs maintainer has been notified.
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Linux Mint 22.2 Beta Available for Testing
Some interesting new additions and improvements are coming to Linux Mint. Check out the Linux Mint 22.2 Beta to give it a test run.
-
Debian 13.0 Officially Released
After two years of development, the latest iteration of Debian is now available with plenty of under-the-hood improvements.
-
Upcoming Changes for MXLinux
MXLinux 25 has plenty in store to please all types of users.
-
A New Linux AI Assistant in Town
Newelle, a Linux AI assistant, works with different LLMs and includes document parsing and profiles.
-
Linux Kernel 6.16 Released with Minor Fixes
The latest Linux kernel doesn't really include any big-ticket features, just a lot of lines of code.
-
EU Sovereign Tech Fund Gains Traction
OpenForum Europe recently released a report regarding a sovereign tech fund with backing from several significant entities.
-
FreeBSD Promises a Full Desktop Installer
FreeBSD has lacked an option to include a full desktop environment during installation.
-
Linux Hits an Important Milestone
If you pay attention to the news in the Linux-sphere, you've probably heard that the open source operating system recently crashed through a ceiling no one thought possible.
-
Plasma Bigscreen Returns
A developer discovered that the Plasma Bigscreen feature had been sitting untouched, so he decided to do something about it.
-
CachyOS Now Lets Users Choose Their Shell
Imagine getting the opportunity to select which shell you want during the installation of your favorite Linux distribution. That's now a thing.