Published:
25 November 1997
Protect yourself against future threats.
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- =========================================================================== AUSCERT External Security Bulletin Redistribution ESB-97.154 -- REVISED 01 Hewlett-Packard Security Bulletin #00057 Security Vulnerability in ppl command 26 November 1997 =========================================================================== 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 and remote users to gain root access. 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 7031 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. - --------------------------BEGIN INCLUDED TEXT-------------------- Document ID: HPSBUX9704-057 Date Loaded: 971124 Title: Security Vulnerability in ppl command - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- **REVISED 01** HEWLETT-PACKARD SECURITY BULLETIN: #00057, 22 April 1997 Last Revised: 24 November 1997 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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: **REVISED 01** PHNE_13179 for all platforms with HP-UX releases 9.X, PHNE_13180 for all platforms with HP-UX releases 10.00 & 10.01, PHNE_13181 for all platforms with HP-UX release 10.10, PHNE_13182 for all platforms with HP-UX release 10.20, PHNE_12499 for all platforms with HP-UX release 10.30. AVAILABILITY: All patches are currently available. CHANGE SUMMARY: This bulletin revision references new & improved patches. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. A. Background A vulnerability in the ppl executable ([/usr]/bin/ppl) exists. (Detailed in AUSCERT Advisory AA-97.07). B. Fixing the problem **REVISED 01** The vulnerability can be eliminated from HP-UX releases 9.X and up to and including 10.30, by applying the appropriate patch. C. Recommended solution **REVISED 01** 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. NOTE: HP-UX release 10.24 (VVOS) is not vulnerable. World Wide Web service for downloading of patches is available for free by registered users via our URL at the Electronic Support Center (ESC). (See Section E below). 2. Apply the patch to your HP-UX system. 3. 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 ESC via electronic mail, and to download patches for free by registered users.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. ________________________________________________________________________ - -----End of Document ID: HPSBUX9704-057-------------------------------------- - --------------------------END INCLUDED TEXT-------------------- -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: 2.6.3i Charset: noconv Comment: ftp://ftp.auscert.org.au/pub/auscert/AUSCERT_PGP.key iQCVAwUBNHveQyh9+71yA2DNAQFRNQP/VD++uF3cCbXOy/lIJ5o8jJeCcj4iIBp9 /4jpijgEs7BDG0wu80Aba02/0fXqxG+Bw8mdj+t69gwRwAEkM0JS1hak29G1ZRhr kGFWZI6StTR4VGgQWd9eM3wkcaDadfsSHUV7gaF5EvOGI2PAi0tvFabvFFo4Z6e5 jiNfrHuugbg= =+VKG -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----