[VulnWatch] iDEFENSE Security Advisory 12.21.04: Hewlett Packard HP-UX ftpd Remote Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

From: customer service mailbox (customerservice_at_idefense.com)
Date: 12/21/04

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    Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2004 17:38:10 -0500
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    Hewlett Packard HP-UX ftpd Remote Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

    iDEFENSE Security Advisory 12.21.04
    www.idefense.com/application/poi/display?id=175&type=vulnerabilities
    December 21, 2004

    I. BACKGROUND

    HP-UX FTP Daemon is a service included in HP-UX that implements the File

    Transfer Protocol.

    II. DESCRIPTION

    Remote exploitation of a buffer overflow vulnerability in the file
    transfer protocol (FTP) daemon included in multiple versions of Hewlett-
    Packard Development Co.'s (HP) HP-UX allows attackers to gain remote
    root access in certain configurations.

    The problem specifically exists when the FTP daemon is configured via
    /etc/inetd.conf to log debug information using -v switch. This is a not
    a default configuration option. When parsing a long command request, an
    exploitable stack overflow will occur. The overflow occurs before
    authentication, thus eliminating the need for a local or anonymous FTP
    account.

    III. ANALYSIS

    Exploitation of this vulnerability allows unauthenticated remote
    attackers to execute arbitrary code under the privileges of the FTP
    daemon server, usually root. The severity of this issue is mitigated by
    the fact that in most production environments, administrators will not
    be using the debug-logging feature of FTP daemon.

    IV. DETECTION

    iDEFENSE has confirmed the existence of this vulnerability in HP-UX
    11.11i. It is suspected that previous versions are also vulnerable.

    To determine if a specific configuration is vulnerable, check
    /etc/inetd.conf for the ftpd line and see if the debug switch is
    enabled:

    grep 'ftpd' /etc/inetd.conf | grep -- -v

    If the above command returns text, then the FTP daemon is running in
    debug mode.

    V. WORKAROUND

    Do not use the -v flag in the FTP daemon entry line in /etc/inetd.conf.
    If debug-logging is necessary, consider allowing only trusted hosts
    access to the service using firewall rules or TCP wrappers.

    VI. VENDOR RESPONSE

    This vulnerability was addressed in the following patches:

    HP-UX B.11.00: PHNE_29460
    HP-UX B.11.04: PHNE_31034
    HP-UX B.11.11: PHNE_29461
    HP-UX B.11.22: PHNE_29462

    VII. CVE INFORMATION

    A Mitre Corp. Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) number has not
    been assigned yet.

    VIII. DISCLOSURE TIMELINE

    12/02/2004 Initial vendor notification
    12/03/2004 Initial vendor response
    12/21/2004 Public disclosure

    IX. CREDIT

    iDEFENSE Labs is credited with this discovery.

    Get paid for vulnerability research
    http://www.idefense.com/poi/teams/vcp.jsp

    X. LEGAL NOTICES

    Copyright (c) 2004 iDEFENSE, Inc.

    Permission is granted for the redistribution of this alert
    electronically. It may not be edited in any way without the express
    written consent of iDEFENSE. If you wish to reprint the whole or any
    part of this alert in any other medium other than electronically, please
    email customerservice@idefense.com for permission.

    Disclaimer: The information in the advisory is believed to be accurate
    at the time of publishing based on currently available information. Use
    of the information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS condition.
    There are no warranties with regard to this information. Neither the
    author nor the publisher accepts any liability for any direct, indirect,
    or consequential loss or damage arising from use of, or reliance on,
    this information.

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