Caldera Linux - sendmail instant root exploit advisory

posted onAugust 25, 2001

by hitbsecnews

Sendmail contains an input validation error, so local users may be able to write arbitrary data to process memory, possibly allowing the execution of code/commands with elevated privileges. This allows a local attacker to gain access to the root account....

Date: Fri, 24 Aug 2001 13:57:21 -0600
From: Caldera Support Info <supinfo@caldera.com>
Subject: Security Update [CSSA-2001-032.0] Linux - sendmail instant root
exploit

____________________________________________________________________________
Caldera International, Inc. Security Advisory

Subject: Linux - sendmail instant root exploit
Advisory number: CSSA-2001-032.0
Issue date: 2001, August 24
Cross reference:
____________________________________________________________________________

1. Problem Description

Sendmail contains an input validation error, so local users may be
able to write arbitrary data to process memory, possibly allowing the
execution of code/commands with elevated privileges. This allows
a local attacker to gain access to the root account.

2. Vulnerable Versions

System Package
-----------------------------------------------------------
OpenLinux 2.3 not vulnerable

OpenLinux eServer 2.3.1 not vulnerable
and OpenLinux eBuilder

OpenLinux eDesktop 2.4 not vulnerable

OpenLinux Server 3.1 All packages previous to
sendmail-8.11.1-4

OpenLinux Workstation 3.1 All packages previous to
sendmail-8.11.1-4

3. Solution

Workaround

none

The proper solution is to upgrade to the latest packages.

4. OpenLinux 2.3

not vulnerable

5. OpenLinux eServer 2.3.1 and OpenLinux eBuilder for ECential 3.0

not vulnerable

6. OpenLinux eDesktop 2.4

not vulnerable

7. OpenLinux 3.1 Server

7.1 Location of Fixed Packages

The upgrade packages can be found on Caldera's FTP site at:

ftp://ftp.caldera.com/pub/updates/OpenLinux/3.1/Server/current/RPMS

The corresponding source code package can be found at:

ftp://ftp.caldera.com/pub/updates/OpenLinux/3.1/Server/current/SRPMS

7.2 Verification

b4fda9679325022adda547f1b3fae8dc RPMS/sendmail-8.11.1-4.i386.rpm
f3eaef00ae6a7cb30635baf6ad13325a RPMS/sendmail-cf-8.11.1-4.i386.rpm
1f17f7fa698748eb5bc6e55951948451 RPMS/sendmail-doc-8.11.1-4.i386.rpm
c3f6af83c406174b325aa28af45c51ae SRPMS/sendmail-8.11.1-4.src.rpm

7.3 Installing Fixed Packages

Upgrade the affected packages with the following commands:

rpm -Fvh sendmail-8.11.1-4.i386.rpm/
sendmail-cf-8.11.1-4.i386.rpm/
sendmail-doc-8.11.1-4.i386.rpm/

8. OpenLinux 3.1 Workstation

8.1 Location of Fixed Packages

The upgrade packages can be found on Caldera's FTP site at:

ftp://ftp.caldera.com/pub/updates/OpenLinux/3.1/Workstation/current/RPMS

The corresponding source code package can be found at:

ftp://ftp.caldera.com/pub/updates/OpenLinux/3.1/Workstation/current/SRPMS

8.2 Verification

8.3 Installing Fixed Packages

Upgrade the affected packages with the following commands:

rpm -Fvh sendmail-8.11.1-4.i386.rpm
sendmail-cf-8.11.1-4.i386.rpm
sendmail-doc-8.11.1-4.i386.rpm

9. References

This and other Caldera security resources are located at:

http://www.caldera.com/support/security/index.html

This security fix closes Caldera's internal Problem Report 10420.

10. Acknowledgements

Caldera International wishes to thank Cade Cairns of SecurityFocus for
spotting and reporting this bug.

11. Disclaimer

Caldera International, Inc. is not responsible for the misuse of
any of the information we provide on this website and/or through our
security advisories. Our advisories are a service to our customers
intended to promote secure installation and use of Caldera OpenLinux.
____________________________________________________________________________
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