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-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 =========================================================================== AUSCERT External Security Bulletin Redistribution ESB-2005.0124 -- iDEFENSE Security Advisory 02.08.05 IBM AIX auditselect Local Format String Vulnerability 9 February 2005 =========================================================================== AusCERT Security Bulletin Summary --------------------------------- Publisher: iDEFENSE Operating System: AIX Impact: Root Compromise Execute Arbitrary Code/Commands Access: Existing Account Original Bulletin: http://www.idefense.com/application/poi/display?id=193 - --------------------------BEGIN INCLUDED TEXT-------------------- IBM AIX auditselect Local Format String Vulnerability iDEFENSE Security Advisory 02.08.05 www.idefense.com/application/poi/display?id=193&type=vulnerabilities February 08, 2005 I. BACKGROUND The auditselect program is a setuid root application, installed by default under multiple versions of IBM AIX, that selects audit records for analysis according to defined criteria. II. DESCRIPTION Local exploitation of a format string vulnerability in the auditselect command included by default in multiple versions of IBM Corp.'s AIX operating system could allow for arbitrary code execution as the root user. The vulnerability specifically exists due to an improperly used formatted printing function. When provided with an incorrect argument (argv[1]) that contains a format string, the format string will be fed into a formatted printing function, and the user supplied format string will be evaluated, allowing for a malicious user to examine stack memory and write to arbitrary memory locations. With a properly crafted string, this can lead to the execution of arbitrary code. III. ANALYSIS This vulnerability can only be exploited by a local user who has been granted access to the "audit" group. Successful exploitation leads to root-level access. Due to the nature of the vulnerability, information leakage is trivial and aids the attacker in exploitation. IV. DETECTION iDEFENSE has confirmed the existence of this vulnerability in IBM AIX version 5.2. It is suspected that previous versions are also vulnerable. IBM has reported that AIX 5.3 is also vulnerable. V. WORKAROUND Only allow trusted users local access to security critical systems. Only allow trusted system administrators access to the "audit" group. Alternately, remove the setuid bit from auditselect using chmod u-s /usr/sbin/auditselect. VI. VENDOR RESPONSE The vendor has not released a patch for this issue, however, the following details have been published: http://www-1.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=isg1IY67519 VII. CVE INFORMATION A Mitre Corp. Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) number has not been assigned yet. VIII. DISCLOSURE TIMELINE 12/21/2004 Initial vendor notification 01/07/2005 Initial vendor response 02/08/2005 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) 2005 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. - --------------------------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. 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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 iQCVAwUBQgmEnyh9+71yA2DNAQKLvwP7BcmR9QZkgFYWs7/pw3YYgG8wLtGc1bGY ap9E7kw62ILIB5j31hnvZtatNCz5GBqgJ304j5ZWYEkPioxjlzuqhyEcRpyAIZpk qTdse8c+jrhM3OQ3iuhX1BwCcg7HhmfwAF4CyOO7PLrZ+f3oVv+1Uog3uB9jViqU I7MkHp3uwik= =9vXv -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----