Backdoors in AS/400 emulations allow the server to attack connected PC workstations

From: Shalom Carmel (shalom_at_venera.com)
Date: 03/23/05

  • Next message: Jay Libove: "Re: Details of Sybase ASE bugs withheld"
    To: <bugtraq@securityfocus.com>
    Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 17:00:26 +0200
    
    

    Backdoors in AS/400 emulations allow the server to attack connected PC
    workstations

    Summary:

    Nowadays, when working with legacy AS/400 applications, most people use
    Telnet based terminal emulation programs, for example IBM Client Access.

    The issue found is using these emulations in an unplanned manner with
    surprising results.

    Overview:

    All PC based terminal emulation support a couple of legacy commands
    called STRPCO (Start PC Organizer) and STRPCCMD (Start PC command).

    The STRPCO and STRPCCMD commands can be scripted inside AS/400 applications.

    These commands accept as an input parameter a string, and attempt to execute
    this string
    as a command on the connected PC.

    When the attempt succeeds, the command is executed under the identity of the
    PC user.

    As a result, a malicious AS/400 application can effectively execute an
    arbitrary set of
    commands on a connected PC.

    This problem affects all AS/400 terminal emulations.

    Moreover, the IBM supplied terminal emulation is often installed as part of
    the Client Access AS/400 connectivity suite, which by default installs a
    service that provides
    an rexec daemon on the affected PC. This rexec daemon can be activated via
    the previously
    mentioned STRPCCMD in a promiscous mode that does not require
    authentication,
    rendering the PC completely open to remote command execution.

    For full details and sample code please read the following PDF file

    http://www.venera.com/downloads/Attack_5250_terminal_emulations_from_iSeries_server.pdf

    Shalom Carmel


  • Next message: Jay Libove: "Re: Details of Sybase ASE bugs withheld"

    Relevant Pages

    • [NEWS] Terminal 5250 Remote Command Execution
      ... The following security advisory is sent to the securiteam mailing list, and can be found at the SecuriTeam web site: http://www.securiteam.com ... Telnet based terminal emulation programs, ... user to unwillingly execute arbitrary commands. ... All PC based terminal emulation support a couple of legacy commands called ...
      (Securiteam)
    • Re: Page cannot be displayed
      ... to enable LAN connectivity to internet for upstairs PC's. ... which enables client internet ... >>Should I be running all the network commands on all networked PC's?? ...
      (microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web)
    • RE: [SLE] DHCP & Networking (partial success)
      ... but still no connectivity. ... eth0: no IPv6 routers present ... DHCP & Networking ... I ran a couple of suggested commands and received the below ...
      (SuSE)
    • Re: List of DOS Commands for xp
      ... PING Verifies and tests connectivity ... WinIPCFG Displays the current TCP/IP configuration and information on ... windows 95/98 ... >will list a lot of commands. ...
      (microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics)
    • Re: Using WCEUSBSH to communicate over USB
      ... All the commands starting with "Ce" are for pocket pc connectivity. ... pat. ...
      (microsoft.public.pocketpc.developer)