TUCoPS :: Linux :: Red Hat/Fedora

TUCoPS :: Linux :: Red Hat/Fedora :: ciacl020.htm
Red Hat Linux modutils Vulnerability

Red Hat Linux modutils Vulnerability Privacy and Legal Notice CIAC INFORMATION BULLETIN L-020: Red Hat Linux modutils Vulnerability November 17, 2000 21:00 GMT

PROBLEM:       The package "modutils" has a vulnerability that can allow
               arbitrary code to be run as root.
PLATFORM:      Those running the following software:
                    Red Hat Linux 6.2 - i386, alpha, sparc
                    Red Hat Linux 6.2EE - i386, alpha, sparc
                    Red Hat Linux 7.0 - i386
                    Red Hat Linux 7.0J - i386
DAMAGE:        A local user can, without proper authorization, execute
               arbitrary code with elevated (root) privileges.
SOLUTION:      Apply the patches as directed by the vendor.
VULNERABILITY  The risk is HIGH. Exploits have been discussed in public
ASSESSMENT:    forums.


[ Start Red Hat, Inc. Advisory ]

---------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Red Hat, Inc. Security Advisory

Synopsis:          Updated modutils fixing local root security bug available
Advisory ID:       RHSA-2000:108-02
Issue date:        2000-11-16
Updated on:        2000-11-16
Product:           Red Hat Linux
Keywords:          modutils root exploit security
Cross references:  N/A
---------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Topic:

A local root exploit in modutils has been fixed.

2. Relevant releases/architectures:

Red Hat Linux 6.2 - i386, alpha, sparc
Red Hat Linux 6.2EE - i386, alpha, sparc
Red Hat Linux 7.0 - i386
Red Hat Linux 7.0J - i386

3. Problem description:

modutils, a package that helps the kernel automatically load kernel modules
(device drivers etc.) when they're needed, could be abused to execute code
as root.



modutils versions between 2.3.0 and 2.3.20 are affected.

4. Solution:

For each RPM for your particular architecture, run:



rpm -Fvh [filename]



where filename is the name of the RPM.

5. Bug IDs fixed (http://bugzilla.redhat.com/bugzilla for more info):

20749 - local root exploit via modutils


6. RPMs required:

Red Hat Linux 6.2:

alpha:
ftp://updates.redhat.com/6.2/alpha/modutils-2.3.20-0.6.2.alpha.rpm

sparc:
ftp://updates.redhat.com/6.2/sparc/modutils-2.3.20-0.6.2.sparc.rpm

i386:
ftp://updates.redhat.com/6.2/i386/modutils-2.3.20-0.6.2.i386.rpm

sources:
ftp://updates.redhat.com/6.2/SRPMS/modutils-2.3.20-0.6.2.src.rpm

Red Hat Linux 7.0:

i386:
ftp://updates.redhat.com/7.0/i386/modutils-2.3.20-1.i386.rpm

sources:
ftp://updates.redhat.com/7.0/SRPMS/modutils-2.3.20-1.src.rpm

7. Verification:

MD5 sum                           Package Name
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
0b4bb8f26ac126db756cfbc84543d7cf  6.2/SRPMS/modutils-2.3.20-0.6.2.src.rpm
7540818796b9ab0961465f67118ffac9  6.2/alpha/modutils-2.3.20-0.6.2.alpha.rpm
206cb6ccd33a0f16803695e0246abb35  6.2/i386/modutils-2.3.20-0.6.2.i386.rpm
d8226ab998719f79f3df9d4e9a6bb88a  6.2/sparc/modutils-2.3.20-0.6.2.sparc.rpm
1502c3cc848fec4ecdaf5903b9f2cbb4  7.0/SRPMS/modutils-2.3.20-1.src.rpm
166b7512c784ffaa4233e8f71ef712cd  7.0/i386/modutils-2.3.20-1.i386.rpm

These packages are GPG signed by Red Hat, Inc. for security.  Our key
is available at:
    http://www.redhat.com/corp/contact.html

You can verify each package with the following command:
    rpm --checksig  

If you only wish to verify that each package has not been corrupted or
tampered with, examine only the md5sum with the following command:
    rpm --checksig --nogpg 

8. References:

N/A


Copyright(c) 2000 Red Hat, Inc.




[ End Red Hat, Inc. Advisory ]

CIAC wishes to acknowledge the contributions of Red Hat, Inc. for the information contained in this bulletin.

CIAC services are available to DOE, DOE Contractors, and the NIH. CIAC can be contacted at:

    Voice:          +1 925-422-8193 (7 x 24)
    FAX:            +1 925-423-8002
    STU-III:        +1 925-423-2604
    E-mail:          ciac@llnl.gov
    World Wide Web:  http://www.ciac.org/
                     http://ciac.llnl.gov
                     (same machine -- either one will work)
    Anonymous FTP:   ftp.ciac.org
                     ciac.llnl.gov
                     (same machine -- either one will work)

This document was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor the University of California nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation or favoring by the United States Government or the University of California. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or the University of California, and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.

UCRL-MI-119788
[Privacy and Legal Notice]