Full Disclosure: RE: Linux kernel source archive vulnerable

["Airey, John" <John.Airey () rnib org uk>]

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> -----Original Message-----
> From: full-disclosure-bounces () lists grok org uk 
> [mailto:full-disclosure-bounces () lists grok org uk] On Behalf 
> Of Hadmut Danisch
> Sent: 07 September 2006 19:23
> To: full-disclosure () lists grok org uk; bugtraq () securityfocus com
> Subject: [Full-disclosure] Linux kernel source archive vulnerable
>
> Hi,
>
> there's a severe vulnerability in the Linux kernel source 
> code archives:
>
>
> The Linux kernel is distributed as tar archives in the form of
> linux-2.6.17.11.tar.bz2 from kernel.org. It is usually unpacked,
> configured and compiled under /usr/src. Since installing a new
> kernel requires root privileges, this is usually done as root.
>
> When unpacking such an archive, tar also sets the uid, gid, and
> file permissions given in the tar archive. Unfortunately, plenty 
> of files and
> directories in that archive are world writable. E.g. in the
> 2.6.17.11 archive, there are 1201 world writable directories and
> 19554 world writable files.
>
> This opens the door for at least three kinds of attacks:
>
>
> 1. Whoever manages to exploit any server (e.g. PHP on a webserver)
> has 
>    world writable directories at a well defined place, perfect to
> hide 
>    any malware, bot, rootkit,...
>
> 2. Any user or intruder can modify the kernel source and thus 
> compromise
>    the kernel to be compiled.
>
> 3. any user or intruder could modify the build or installation
>    system/Makefiles in order to have any kind of malware executed
> by 
>    root the next time a kernel is built or installed, or any other
>    kernel module making use of the kernel tree.
>
>
> Solution: Ensure that the file ownership and permissions are set
> properly before distributing the tar archive.
The even simpler solution is to never build the linux kernel on any
machine that is publicly accessible in any way, nor have a compiler
on that system. In fact, ensure that system runs with the minimum
amount of software necessary to provide that service. You can achieve
this easily with Linux, but it is not easy with Windows.

- -- 
John Airey, BSc (Jt Hons), CNE, RHCE
Internet systems support officer, Information & Knowledge Systems 
Royal National Institute of the Blind, Bakewell Road, Peterborough,
PE2 6XU
Tel.: +44 (0) 1733 375299 Fax: +44 (0) 1733 370848
John.Airey () rnib org uk 

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