K-056: IRIX WorkShop cvconnect(1M) Vulnerability

PROBLEM:       Silicon Graphics has identified a vulnerability in
               cvconnect(1M) which can be invoked by WorkShop.
PLATFORM:      WorkShop versions 2.6.* and lower
DAMAGE:        This vulnerability can be exploited locally and remotely to
               overwrite any file on the system.
SOLUTION:      Apply patches or workaround.
VULNERABILITY  Risk is High. The cvconnect(1M) vulnerability has been publicly
ASSESSMENT:    dicussed in Usenet newsgroups and mailing lists.


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______________________________________________________________________________
                Silicon Graphics Inc. Security Advisory

        Title:   IRIX WorkShop cvconnect(1M) Vulnerability
        Number:  20000601-01-P
        Date:    June 20, 2000
______________________________________________________________________________

Silicon Graphics provides this information freely to the SGI user community
for its consideration, interpretation, implementation and use.   Silicon
Graphics recommends that this information be acted upon as soon as possible.

Silicon Graphics provides the information in this Security Advisory on
an "AS-IS" basis only, and disclaims all warranties with respect thereto,
express, implied or otherwise, including, without limitation, any warranty
of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.  In no event shall
Silicon Graphics be liable for any loss of profits, loss of business, loss
of data or for any indirect, special, exemplary, incidental or consequential
damages of any kind arising from your use of, failure to use or improper
use of any of the instructions or information in this Security Advisory.
______________________________________________________________________________

- -----------------------
- --- Issue Specifics ---
- -----------------------

WorkShop is a suite of software tools to aid in debugging programs.  The
cvconnect(1m) program is invoked by WorkShop and is not normally directly
run by users.

A vulnerability has been discovered in cvconnect(1M) which will allow
users to overwrite any file on the system.

Silicon Graphics Inc. has investigated the issue and recommends the
following steps for neutralizing the exposure.  It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
that these measures be implemented on ALL vulnerable SGI systems.

This issue has been corrected in WorkShop 2.7 and higher.


- --------------
- --- Impact ---
- --------------

The WorkShop Debugger and Performance tools are an optional product
and are not installed on the default IRIX system.

Versions 2.6.* and lower of WorkShop have this cvconnect(1M) vulnerability.

With a local account, the cvconnect(1M) vulnerability can be exploited
locally and remotely.

The cvconnect(1M) vulnerability can be utilized to overwrite any file
on the system.

The cvconnect(1M) vulnerability has been publicly discussed in Usenet
newsgroups and mailing lists.


- ---------------------------
- ---- Temporary Solution ---
- ---------------------------

Although patches are available for this issue, it is realized that
there may be situations where installing the patches immediately may
not be possible.

The steps below can be used to remove the vulnerability by removing
the permissions of the cvconnect(1M) program.


     1) Become the root user on the system.

                % /bin/su -
                Password:
                #

     2) Verify a vulnerable WorkShop suite is installed.
        Versions 2.6.* and lower of WorkShop are vulnerable.

                # versions -b WorkShop\*
                I = Installed, R = Removed

                  Name             Date      Description
               I  WorkShop         07/03/96  Developer Magic: WorkShop 2.6

     3) Change the permissions on the vulnerable cvconnect(1M) program.

                # /bin/chmod 500 /usr/lib/WorkShop/cvconnect

                           ************
                           *** NOTE ***
                           ************

               Removing the permissions from the vulnerable program will
               prevent non-root users from accessing cvconnect(1M).

     4) Verify the new permissions on the program.
        Note that the program size may be different depending on release.

                # ls -l /usr/lib/WorkShop/cvconnect
                -r-x------ 1 root  sys  428664 Sep 11  1997   cvconnect

     5) Return to previous user level.

                # exit
                $


- ----------------
- --- Solution ---
- ----------------

Upgrade to WorkShop 2.7 or higher which is available from your local SGI
support provider. WorkShop 2.7 CD Part Number is 812-0768-002

   OS Version     Vulnerable?     Patch #      Other Actions
   ----------     -----------     -------      -------------

   IRIX 3.x          no
   IRIX 4.x          no
   IRIX 5.0.x        no
   IRIX 5.1.x        no
   IRIX 5.2          no
   IRIX 5.3          yes          not avail    see Note 1
   IRIX 6.0.x        no
   IRIX 6.1          yes          not avail    see Note 1
   IRIX 6.2          yes          Upgrade to WorkShop 2.7+
   IRIX 6.3          yes          Upgrade to WorkShop 2.7+
   IRIX 6.4          yes          Upgrade to WorkShop 2.7+
   IRIX 6.5          yes          Upgrade to WorkShop 2.7+

   NOTES

     1) upgrade operating system or see "Temporary Solution" section.

- ------------------------
- --- Acknowledgments ---
- ------------------------

Silicon Graphics wishes to thank the Internet Community at large for
their assistance in this matter.

- -----------------------------------------------------------
- --- Silicon Graphics Inc. Security Information/Contacts ---
- -----------------------------------------------------------

If there are questions about this document, email can be sent to
cse-security-alert@sgi.com.

                      ------oOo------

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use by the entire SGI community.  This information is freely
available to any person needing the information and is available
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The primary SGI anonymous FTP site for security information and patches
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respectively. The Silicon Graphics Security Headquarters Web page is
accessible at the URL http://www.sgi.com/support/security/ .

For issues with the patches on the FTP sites, email can be sent to
cse-security-alert@sgi.com.

For assistance obtaining or working with security patches, please
contact your SGI support provider.

                      ------oOo------

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                      ------oOo------

Silicon Graphics provides a comprehensive customer World Wide Web site.
This site is located at http://www.sgi.com/support/security/ .

                      ------oOo------

For reporting *NEW* SGI security issues, email can be sent to
security-alert@sgi.com or contact your SGI support provider.  A
support contract is not required for submitting a security report.

______________________________________________________________________________
  This information is provided freely to all interested parties and may
  be redistributed provided that it is not altered in any way, Silicon
  Graphics is appropriately credited and the document retains and
  includes its valid PGP signature.

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