Published:
23 April 1997
Protect yourself against future threats.
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AUSCERT External Security Bulletin Redistribution
ESB-97.050 -- Hewlett-Packard Security Bulletin #00057
Security Vulnerability in ppl command
24 April 1997
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Hewlett-Packard has released the following security bulletin concerning
a vulnerability in the ppl executable under HP-UX 9.x and 10.x.
This vulnerability may allow local users to gain root privileges.
This bulletin addresses the vulnerability previously described in the
AUSCERT Advisory AA-97.07 (HP-UX ppl core dump vulnerability).
AUSCERT advises that all sites apply the appropriate patches described in
this bulletin as soon as possible.
The following security bulletin is provided as a service to AUSCERT's
members. As AUSCERT did not write this document, AUSCERT has had no
control over its content. As such, the decision to use any or all of this
information is the responsibility of each user or organisation, and should
be done so in accordance with site policies and procedures.
Contact information for Hewlett-Packard is included in the Security
Bulletin below. If you have any questions or need further information,
please contact them directly.
If you believe that your system has been compromised, contact AUSCERT or
your representative in FIRST (Forum of Incident Response and Security
Teams).
Internet Email: auscert@auscert.org.au
Facsimile: (07) 3365 4477
Telephone: (07) 3365 4417 (International: +61 7 3365 4417)
AUSCERT personnel answer during Queensland business hours
which are GMT+10:00 (AEST).
On call after hours for emergencies.
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Document ID: HPSBUX9704-057
Date Loaded: 970423
Title: Security Vulnerability in ppl command
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HEWLETT-PACKARD SECURITY BULLETIN: #00057, 22 April 1997
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The information in the following Security Bulletin should be acted upon
as soon as possible. Hewlett Packard will not be liable for any
consequences to any customer resulting from customer's failure to fully
implement instructions in this Security Bulletin as soon as possible.
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PROBLEM: Security Vulnerability in [/usr]/bin/ppl
PLATFORM: HP 9000 Series 700/800s running HP-UX releases 9.X & 10.X
DAMAGE: Vulnerability exists that could allow local users to gain
root privileges.
SOLUTION: Apply patch:
PHNE_10290 for all platforms with HP-UX releases 9.X
PHNE_10363 for all platforms with HP-UX releases 10.01
PHNE_10364 for all platforms with HP-UX releases 10.10
PHNE_10365 for all platforms with HP-UX releases 10.20
AVAILABILITY: All patches are currently available.
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I.
A. Background
A vulnerability in the ppl executable ([/usr]/bin/ppl) exists.
(Detailed in AUSCERT Advisory AA-97.07).
B. Fixing the problem
The vulnerability can be eliminated from HP-UX releases 9.X and
10.X by applying the appropriate patch.
C. Recommended solution
1. Determine which patch is appropriate for your operating
system. HP-UX version 10.00 users are encouraged to upgrade
to HP-UX version 10.01 or above.
2. Hewlett-Packard's HP-UX patches are available via email
and the World Wide Web
To obtain a copy of the Hewlett-Packard SupportLine email
service user's guide, send the following in the TEXT PORTION
OF THE MESSAGE to support@us.external.hp.com (no Subject
is required):
send guide
The users guide explains the HP-UX patch downloading process
via email and other services available.
World Wide Web service for downloading of patches
is available via our URL:
(http://us.external.hp.com)
3. Apply the patch to your HP-UX system.
4. Examine /tmp/update.log (9.X), or /var/adm/sw/swinstall.log
(10.X), for any relevant WARNING's or ERROR's.
D. Impact of the patch
The patches for HP-UX releases 9.X and 10.X provide enhancements
to the ppl executable to avoid this vulnerability.
E. To subscribe to automatically receive future NEW HP
Security Bulletins from the HP Electronic Support Center via
electronic mail, do the following:
User your browser to get to the HP Electronic Support
Center page at:
http://us-support.external.hp.com
(for US, Canada, Asia-Pacific, & Latin-America)
http://europe-support.external.hp.com
(for Europe)
Click on the Technical Knowledge Database, register as a user
(remember to save the User ID assigned to you, and your password),
and it will connect to a HP Search Technical Knowledge DB page.
Near the bottom is a hyperlink to our Security Bulletin archive.
Once in the archive there is another link to our current
security patch matrix. Updated daily, this matrix is categorized
by platform/OS release, and by bulletin topic.
F. To report new security vulnerabilities, send email to
security-alert@hp.com
Please encrypt any exploit information using the security-alert
PGP key, available from your local key server, or by sending a
message with a -subject- (not body) of 'get key' (no quotes) to
security-alert@hp.com.
Permission is granted for copying and circulating this Bulletin to
Hewlett-Packard (HP) customers (or the Internet community) for the
purpose of alerting them to problems, if and only if, the Bulletin
is not edited or changed in any way, is attributed to HP, and
provided such reproduction and/or distribution is performed for
non-commercial purposes.
Any other use of this information is prohibited. HP is not liable
for any misuse of this information by any third party.
________________________________________________________________________
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