[UNIX] IBM AIX auditselect Local Format String Vulnerability

From: SecuriTeam (support_at_securiteam.com)
Date: 02/14/05

  • Next message: SecuriTeam: "[NT] ASPjar Guestbook login.asp SQL Injection" 
    To: list@securiteam.com
Date: 14 Feb 2005 13:46:51 +0200

    The following security advisory is sent to the securiteam mailing list, and can be found at the SecuriTeam web site: http://www.securiteam.com
    - - promotion

    The SecuriTeam alerts list - Free, Accurate, Independent.

    Get your security news from a reliable source.
    http://www.securiteam.com/mailinglist.html

    - - - - - - - - -

      IBM AIX auditselect Local Format String Vulnerability
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------

    SUMMARY

    The auditselect program is "a setuid root application, installed by
    default under multiple versions of IBM AIX, that selects audit records for
    analysis according to defined criteria".

    Local exploitation of a format string vulnerability in the auditselect
    command included by default in multiple versions of IBM Corp.'s AIX
    operating system could allow for arbitrary code execution as the root
    user.

    DETAILS

    Vulnerable Systems:
     * IBM AIX version 5.2
     * IBM AIX version 5.3

    The vulnerability specifically exists due to an improperly used formatted
    printing function. When provided with an incorrect argument (argv[1]) that
    contains a format string, the format string will be fed into a formatted
    printing function, and the user supplied format string will be evaluated,
    allowing for a malicious user to examine stack memory and write to
    arbitrary memory locations. With a properly crafted string, this can lead
    to the execution of arbitrary code.

    Analysis:
    This vulnerability can only be exploited by a local user who has been
    granted access to the "audit" group. Successful exploitation leads to
    root-level access.

    Due to the nature of the vulnerability, information leakage is trivial and
    aids the attacker in exploitation.

    Workaround:
    Only allow trusted users local access to security critical systems. Only
    allow trusted system administrators access to the "audit" group.
    Alternately, remove the setuid bit from auditselect using chmod u-s
    /usr/sbin/auditselect.

    Vendor Status:
    The vendor has not released a patch for this issue, however, the following
    details have been published:
        <http://www-1.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=isg1IY67519>
    http://www-1.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=isg1IY67519

    Disclosure Timeline:
    12/21/2004 - Initial vendor notification
    01/07/2005 - Initial vendor response
    02/08/2005 - Public disclosure

    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

    The information has been provided by
    <mailto:customerservice@idefense.com> iDEFENSE Customer Service.
    The original article can be found at:
    <http://www.idefense.com/application/poi/display?id=193&type=vulnerabilities> http://www.idefense.com/application/poi/display?id=193&type=vulnerabilities

    ========================================

    This bulletin is sent to members of the SecuriTeam mailing list.
    To unsubscribe from the list, send mail with an empty subject line and body to: list-unsubscribe@securiteam.com
    In order to subscribe to the mailing list, simply forward this email to: list-subscribe@securiteam.com

    ====================
    ====================

    DISCLAIMER:
    The information in this bulletin is provided "AS IS" without warranty of any kind.
    In no event shall we be liable for any damages whatsoever including direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, loss of business profits or special damages.

  • Next message: SecuriTeam: "[NT] ASPjar Guestbook login.asp SQL Injection"

    Relevant Pages