CVE-2018-25078: man-db_project man-db Execution with Unnecessary Privileges

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2018-25078 is a high (CVSS 7.8) Execution with Unnecessary Privileges vulnerability in man-db_project man-db. EPSS estimates a 0.38% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 31% of scored vulnerabilities. 1 public exploit is recorded.

Timeline

1. 25-01-2023
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 02-04-2025
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

man-db before 2.8.5 on Gentoo allows local users (with access to the man user account) to gain root privileges because /usr/bin/mandb is executed by root but not owned by root. (Also, the owner can strip the setuid and setgid bits.)

• CWE-250Execution with Unnecessary PrivilegesThe product performs an operation at a privilege level that is higher than the minimum level required, which creates new weaknesses or amplifies the consequences of other weaknesses.