Protect yourself against future threats.
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1
===========================================================================
AUSCERT External Security Bulletin Redistribution
ESB-2004.0606 -- Sun Alert Notification 57649
Security Vulnerability in "a2ps" May Allow A Local
Unprivileged User to Execute Arbitrary Code
27 September 2004
===========================================================================
AusCERT Security Bulletin Summary
---------------------------------
Product: a2ps (Any to PostScript)
Publisher: Sun Microsystems
Operating System: Sun Java Desktop System (JDS)
Linux variants
UNIX variants
Impact: Increased Privileges
Access: Existing Account
- --------------------------BEGIN INCLUDED TEXT--------------------
Sun(sm) Alert Notification
* Sun Alert ID: 57649
* Synopsis: Security Vulnerability in "a2ps" May Allow A Local
Unprivileged User to Execute Arbitrary Code
* Category: Security
* Product: Sun Java Desktop System (JDS)
* BugIDs: 5103385
* Avoidance: Patch
* State: Resolved
* Date Released: 23-Sep-2004
* Date Closed: 23-Sep-2004
* Date Modified:
1. Impact
Insufficient validation of shell characters in "a2ps" causes a
filename vulnerability that may allow a local unprivileged user to
execute arbitrary code.
Note: The "Any to PostScript" filter (a2ps.1) formats files for
printing to a PostScript printer.
A description of this issue can be found at
[2]http://www.securiteam.com/unixfocus/5MP0N2KDPA.html.
2. Contributing Factors
This issue can occur in the following releases:
Linux Platform
* Sun Java Desktop System (JDS) 2003 without the updated RPMs
(patch-9340)
* Sun Java Desktop System (JDS) Release 2 without the updated RPMs
(patch-9340)
Notes:
1. JDS for Solaris is not impacted by this issue.
2. This issue only occurs with versions a2ps-4.13-1026 or earlier.
To determine the release of JDS for Linux installed on a system, the
following command can be run:
% cat /etc/sun-release
Sun Java Desktop System, Release 2 -build 10b (GA)
Assembled 30 March 2004
To determine the version of "a2ps" the following command can be run:
% rpm -qf /usr/bin/a2ps
a2ps-4.13-1026
3. Symptoms
There are no predictable symptoms that would indicate the described
issue has been exploited.
Solution Summary [3]Top
4. Relief/Workaround
To work around the described issue, remove the "a2ps RPM" by running
the following command as "root":
# rpm -e `rpm -qf /usr/bin/a2ps`
5. Resolution
This issue is addressed in the following releases:
Linux Platform
* Sun Java Desktop System (JDS) 2003 with the updated RPMs
(patch-9340)
* Sun Java Desktop System (JDS) Release 2 with the updated RPMs
(patch-9340)
To download and install the updated RPMs from the update servers,
select the following sequence from the "launch" bar:
Launch >> Applications >> System Tools >> Online Update
For more information on obtaining RPM updates, see:
* [4]http://wwws.sun.com/software/javadesktopsystem/faq.html#5q5
* [5]http://wwws.sun.com/software/javadesktopsystem/faq.html#5q7
This Sun Alert notification is being provided to you on an "AS IS"
basis. This Sun Alert notification may contain information provided by
third parties. The issues described in this Sun Alert notification may
or may not impact your system(s). Sun makes no representations,
warranties, or guarantees as to the information contained herein. ANY
AND ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR
NON-INFRINGEMENT, ARE HEREBY DISCLAIMED. BY ACCESSING THIS DOCUMENT
YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT SUN SHALL IN NO EVENT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT,
INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES THAT ARISE
OUT OF YOUR USE OR FAILURE TO USE THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN.
This Sun Alert notification contains Sun proprietary and confidential
information. It is being provided to you pursuant to the provisions of
your agreement to purchase services from Sun, or, if you do not have
such an agreement, the Sun.com Terms of Use. This Sun Alert
notification may only be used for the purposes contemplated by these
agreements.
Copyright 2000-2004 Sun Microsystems, Inc., 4150 Network Circle, Santa
Clara, CA 95054 U.S.A. All rights reserved.
References
1. http://sunsolve.sun.com/search/printfriendly.do?assetkey=1-26-57649-1#top
2. http://www.securiteam.com/unixfocus/5MP0N2KDPA.html
3. http://sunsolve.sun.com/search/printfriendly.do?assetkey=1-26-57649-1#top
4. http://wwws.sun.com/software/javadesktopsystem/faq.html#5q7
5. http://wwws.sun.com/software/javadesktopsystem/faq.html#5q7
- --------------------------END INCLUDED TEXT--------------------
You have received this e-mail bulletin as a result of your organisation's
registration with AusCERT. The mailing list you are subscribed to is
maintained within your organisation, so if you do not wish to continue
receiving these bulletins you should contact your local IT manager. If
you do not know who that is, please send an email to auscert@auscert.org.au
and we will forward your request to the appropriate person.
NOTE: Third Party Rights
This security bulletin is provided as a service to AusCERT's members. As
AusCERT did not write the document quoted above, AusCERT has had no control
over its content. The decision to follow or act on information or advice
contained in this security bulletin is the responsibility of each user or
organisation, and should be considered in accordance with your organisation's
site policies and procedures. AusCERT takes no responsibility for consequences
which may arise from following or acting on information or advice contained in
this security bulletin.
NOTE: This is only the original release of the security bulletin. It may
not be updated when updates to the original are made. If downloading at
a later date, it is recommended that the bulletin is retrieved directly
from the author's website to ensure that the information is still current.
Contact information for the authors of the original document is included
in the Security Bulletin above. If you have any questions or need further
information, please contact them directly.
Previous advisories and external security bulletins can be retrieved from:
http://www.auscert.org.au/render.html?cid=1980
If you believe that your computer system has been compromised or attacked in
any way, we encourage you to let us know by completing the secure National IT
Incident Reporting Form at:
http://www.auscert.org.au/render.html?it=3192
===========================================================================
Australian Computer Emergency Response Team
The University of Queensland
Brisbane
Qld 4072
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 member emergencies only.
===========================================================================
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Comment: http://www.auscert.org.au/render.html?it=1967
iQCVAwUBQVdkSSh9+71yA2DNAQIyUwQAiXtA+9f5AWlUpj34FNMekBms/3QPHCyO
VmpD5dbVhUBoxqVIs/n3ZqLoYDgXzXjwQIJY9TZFWrE/uNVjYuD6RMVO9ezBHmte
Bxvm2XZ1SxSSGqGo2sTx0hrExFhoZOlqxK7kv87R2vI6lbyVSBl/3cnx4EunCdTE
ZLGjxnBBE14=
=V7CC
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----