Eric Romang has reported a vulnerability in MySQL, which can be exploited by malicious, local users to conduct various actions on a vulnerable system with escalated privileges.

The vulnerability is caused due to the mysql_install_db script creating the temporary file "mysql_install_db.$$" insecurely. This can be exploited to overwrite arbitrary files with the privileges of the user running the vulnerable script via symlink attacks or execute arbitrary SQL commands by manipulating the file's contents.

The vulnerability has been reported in versions 4.1.11 and prior and development release 5.0.4 and prior.

Solution
Update to version 4.1.12.
Further details available to Secunia VIM customers

Provided and/or discovered by
Eric Romang

Original Advisory
Eric Romang:
http://www.zataz.net/adviso/mysql-05172005.txt

Deep Links
Links available to Secunia VIM customers