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AUSCERT External Security Bulletin Redistribution
ESB-2007.0571 -- [AIX]
AIX pioinit File Replacement Vulnerability
27 July 2007
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AusCERT Security Bulletin Summary
---------------------------------
Product: pioinit script
Publisher: IBM
Operating System: AIX 5.2, 5.3
Impact: Root Compromise
Access: Existing Account
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IBM SECURITY ADVISORY
First Issued: Wed Jul 25 09:06:31 CDT 2007
===============================================================================
VULNERABILITY SUMMARY
VULNERABILITY: AIX pioinit File Replacement Vulnerability
PLATFORMS: AIX 5.2, 5.3
SOLUTION: Apply the APAR, interim fix or workaround as described
below.
THREAT: An attacker may execute aribtrary code with root privileges.
CERT VU Number: n/a
CVE Number: n/a
===============================================================================
DETAILED INFORMATION
I. OVERVIEW
The pioinit script is run by root during platform boot to initialize the
printer services. This script is installed as user/group bin.
II. DESCRIPTION
A local attacker in the bin group may execute arbitrary code with root
privileges by installing their own copy of pioinit. This is due to the
default file permissions and a lack of checking within the inittab script
for a valid copy of the pioinit script.
III. IMPACT
A local attacker may run arbitrary code with root privileges.
IV. PLATFORM VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT
To determine if your system is vulnerable, run the following command:
# lslpp -l | grep printers.rte
The following filesets are vulnerable:
AIX Level Lower Level Upper Level
-------------------------------------------------
5.2.0 5.2.0.75 5.2.0.75
5.3.0 5.3.0.30 5.3.0.30
NOTE: This vulnerability only pertains to AIX 5.2 TL08 and AIX 5.3 TL04.
V. SOLUTIONS
A. APARS
IBM provides the following fixes:
AIX Level APAR number Availability
--------------------------------------------------------------------
5.2.0 IY79785 available
5.3.0 IY79786 available
AIX Version 5 APARs can be downloaded from:
http://www.ibm.com/servers/eserver/support/unixservers/aixfixes.html
NOTE: Affected customers are urged to upgrade to the latest applicable
Technology Level and Service Pack.
B. INTERIM FIXES
Interim fixes are available. The interim fix can be downloaded via
ftp from:
ftp://aix.software.ibm.com/aix/efixes/security/pioinit_ifix.tar.Z
This is a compressed tarball containing this advisory, interim fix
packages and PGP signatures for each package. The interim fixes below
include prerequisite checking. This will enforce the correct mapping
between the fixes and AIX Technology Levels.
AIX Release & Technology Level Interim fix
---------------------------------------------------------------
5200-08 IY79785_08.070725.epkg.Z
5300-04 IY79786_04.070725.epkg.Z
IMPORTANT: If possible, it is recommended that a mksysb backup of the
system be created. Verify it is both bootable and readable before
proceeding.
These interim fixes have not been fully regression tested; thus, IBM
does not warrant the fully correct functionality of the interim fix.
Customers install the interim fix and operate the modified version of
AIX at their own risk.
Verify you have retrieved the fixes intact:
The interim fixes below are named by using the technology level
corresponding to the release that the fix applies to. The checksums
below were generated using the "sum" and "md5sum" commands and are as
follows:
Filename sum md5sum
----------------------------------------------------------------------
IY79785_08.070725.epkg.Z 18066 4 f94d2261b31269cafe4218632e056edf
IY79786_04.070725.epkg.Z 54968 4 ae0ae8ac5b1e8ae07ec20667835a029c
These sums should match exactly. The PGP signatures in the
compressed tarball and on this advisory can also be used to verify
the integrity of the various files they correspond to. If the sums
or signatures cannot be confirmed, double check the command results
and the download site address. If those are OK, contact IBM AIX
Security at security-alert@austin.ibm.com and describe the
discrepancy.
C. INTERIM FIX INSTALLATION
These packages use the new Interim Fix Management Solution to install
and manage interim fixes. More information can be found at:
http://www14.software.ibm.com/webapp/set2/sas/f/aix.efixmgmt/home.html
To preview an epkg interim fix installation execute the following
command:
# emgr -e ipkg_name -p # where ipkg_name is the name of the
# interim fix package being previewed.
To install an epkg interim fix package, execute the following command:
# emgr -e ipkg_name -X # where ipkg_name is the name of the
# interim fix package being installed.
The "X" flag will expand any filesystems if required.
VI. WORKAROUNDS
None.
VII. OBTAINING FIXES
AIX Version 5 APARs can be downloaded from:
http://www.ibm.com/servers/eserver/support/unixservers/aixfixes.html
Security related Interim Fixes can be downloaded from:
ftp://aix.software.ibm.com/aix/efixes/security
VII. CONTACT INFORMATION
If you would like to receive AIX Security Advisories via email, please
visit:
http://www14.software.ibm.com/webapp/set2/subscriptions/pqvcmjd
Comments regarding the content of this announcement can be directed to:
security-alert@austin.ibm.com
To request the PGP public key that can be used to communicate
securely with the AIX Security Team send email to
security-alert@austin.ibm.com with a subject of "get key". The key
can also be downloaded from a PGP Public Key Server. The key id is
0x4265D862.
Please contact your local IBM AIX support center for any assistance.
eServer is a trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.
IBM, AIX and pSeries are registered trademarks of International Business
Machines Corporation. All other trademarks are property of their
respective holders.
VIII. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This vulnerability was discovered internal to IBM as part of its
commitment to secure the AIX operating system.
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