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CERT® Advisory CA-2001-27 Format String Vulnerability in CDE ToolTalkOriginal release date: October 5, 2001Last revised: November 14, 2001 Source: CERT/CC A complete revision history can be found at the end of this file.
There is a remotely exploitable format string vulnerability in the CDE ToolTalk RPC database service. This vulnerability could be used to crash the service or execute arbitrary code, potentially allowing an intruder to gain root access. This vulnerability is documented in VU#595507.
There is a remotely exploitable format string vulnerability in the CDE ToolTalk RPC database server. While handling an error condition, a syslog(3) function call is made without providing a format string specifier argument. Since rpc.ttdbserverd does not perform adequate input validation or provide the format string specifier argument, a crafted RPC request containing format string specifiers will be interpreted by the vulnerable syslog(3) function call. Such a request can be designed to overwrite specific locations in memory, thus executing code with the privileges of rpc.ttdbserverd, typically root. The vulnerability was discovered by Internet Security Systems (ISS) X-Force. For more information, see This vulnerability has been assigned the identifier CAN-2001-0717 by the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) group: Many common UNIX systems ship with CDE ToolTalk installed and enabled by default. The rpcinfo command may help determine if a system is running the ToolTalk RPC database service:
II. ImpactAn attacker can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the rpc.ttdbserverd process, typically root. III. Solution
Apply a patchAppendix A contains information from vendors who have provided information for this advisory. We will update the appendix as we receive more information. If a vendor's name does not appear, then the CERT/CC did not hear from that vendor. Please contact your vendor directly.
Block access to vulnerable serviceUntil patches are available and can be applied, you may wish to block access to the RPC portmapper service and the ToolTalk RPC service from untrusted networks such as the Internet. Using a firewall or other packet-filtering technology, block the ports used by the RPC portmapper and ToolTalk RPC services. The RPC portmapper service typically runs on ports 111/tcp and 111/udp. The ToolTalk RPC service may be configured to use port 692/tcp or another port as indicated in output from the rpcinfo command. Keep in mind that blocking ports at a network perimeter does not protect the vulnerable service from the internal network. It is important to understand your network configuration and service requirements before deciding what changes are appropriate. Appendix A. - Vendor InformationThis appendix contains information provided by vendors for this advisory. When vendors report new information to the CERT/CC, we update this section and note the changes in our revision history. If a particular vendor is not listed below, we have not received their comments.
Caldera Open Unix and UnixWare are vulnerable. Caldera has released Security Advisory CSSA-2001-SCO.28.
Compaq has released Advisory SSRT0767U:
Cray Inc.UNICOS and UNICOS/mk are not vulnerable to [this] advisory. Cray, Inc. does include ToolTalk within the CrayTools product. However, this implementation does not use rpc.ttdbserverd. Therefore, Cray, Inc. is not vulnerable to this advisory. See Cray SPR 721061 for more details. Cray SPRs are available to licensed Cray customers. Hewlett-Packard CompanyPatches are now available from HP. See HPSBUX0110-168 for details.IBM CorporationIBM AIX 5.1 and 4.3 are vulnerable. IBM has released an emergency fix (efix) which contains patched binaries for both AIX 5.1 and AIX 4.3 as well as an advisory: IBM is working on APARs which will not be available until late October or November of 2001.
The Open GroupThe Open Group maintains source code for the Common Desktop Environment (CDE). Source licensees of The Open Group's CDE product can contact desktop@opengroup.org for advice and a source patch that address this issue. SGISGI acknowledges the CDE vulnerabilities reported by CERT and is currently investigating. No further information is available at this time. For the protection of all our customers, SGI does not disclose, discuss or confirm vulnerabilities until a full investigation has occurred and any necessary patch(es) or release streams are available for all vulnerable and supported IRIX operating systems. Until SGI has more definitive information to provide, customers are encouraged to assume all security vulnerabilities as exploitable and take appropriate steps according to local site security policies and requirements. As further information becomes available, additional advisories will be issued via the normal SGI security information distribution methods including the wiretap mailing list. SunSun has released Security Bulletin #00212 (URL wrapped): Sun patches are available at the following location:Xi GraphicsXi Graphics DeXtop 2.1 is vulnerable. Further information and a patch are available at the following locations: Appendix B. - References
The CERT Coordination Center thanks Internet Security Systems (ISS) X-Force, who published an advisory on this issue. We would also like to thank The Open Group for technical assistance. Authors: Art Manion and Shawn V. Hernan This document is available from: http://www.cert.org/advisories/CA-2001-27.html CERT/CC Contact Information
Phone: +1 412-268-7090 (24-hour hotline) Fax: +1 412-268-6989 Postal address: CERT/CC personnel answer the hotline 08:00-17:00 EST(GMT-5) / EDT(GMT-4) Monday through Friday; they are on call for emergencies during other hours, on U.S. holidays, and on weekends. Using encryptionWe strongly urge you to encrypt sensitive information sent by email. Our public PGP key is available from If you prefer to use DES, please call the CERT hotline for more information. Getting security informationCERT publications and other security information are available from our web site
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Copyright 2001 Carnegie Mellon University. Revision History October 5, 2001: initial release October 8, 2001: updated vendor information for Caldera, Compaq, Cray, fixed Authors and X-Force links October 9, 2001: updated vendor information for Cray, Xi Graphics October 17, 2001: updated vendor information for Caldera November 14, 2001: updated vendor information for Compaq, Sun |
