The (1) gendef.sh, (2) doc/fixinfo.sh, and (3) contrib/gdiffmk/tests/runtests.in scripts in GNU troff (aka groff) 1.21 and earlier allow local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a gro#####.tmp or /tmp/##### temporary file.

References

• https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2009-5079
• http://cvsweb.openwall.com/cgi/cvsweb.cgi/Owl/packages/groff/groff-1.20.1-owl-tmp.diff
• http://cvsweb.openwall.com/cgi/cvsweb.cgi/Owl/packages/groff/groff-1.20.1-owl-tmp.diff.diff?r1=1.1;r2=1.2;f=h
• http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/08/14/4
• http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/08/14/5
• http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2013:085
• http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2013:086