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XFree86 libXau Race Condition Vulnerability

The libXau library included with XFree86 is susceptible to a possible race condition vulnerability.

The problem exists in the XauLockAuth() function, which is responsible for doing the work necessary to synchronously update an authorization file. It may be possible for a malicious local user to symbolically link the lock file to any file owned by a user running a program that uses the libXau library.

This may allow sensitive data to be overwritten, in some situations leading to a denial of service or enabling system compromise if the user can control the file contents.