[8lgm]-Advisory-15.UNIX.mail3.28-Nov-1994

[8lgm () bagpuss demon co uk ([8LGM] Security Team)]

This advisory has been sent to:

        comp.security.unix

        BUGTRAQ                 <bugtraq () crimelab com>
        CERT/CC                 <cert () cert org>
        Sun Microsystems        <security-alert () sun com>

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             [8lgm]-Advisory-15.UNIX.mail3.28-Nov-1994


PROGRAM:

        SunOS 4.1.x binmail(1)

VULNERABLE OS's:

        SunOS 4.1.x

PATCHID:

        Tested up to SunOS 4.x SMCC Jumbo PATCH, 94/09/13 Patchid 100224-13

DESCRIPTION:

        A hole in binmail(1) allows files to be created as root.
        
IMPACT:

        Any user can become root.

REPEAT BY:

        Exploit details will not be available.

DISCUSSION:

        A flaw in binmail(1) reported to Sun by 8lgm some time ago, has not
        been fixed in the the latest patch.  (The latest patch does
        fix the tmp file and mailbox creation problems successfully).
        Using the src for binmail(1) posted to bugtraq, and the diff
        for the latest patch provided to 8lgm by Sun to verify their fix,
        we have created a secure binmail(1) for SunOS.

        However, as both the diff and source for binmail(1) are covered
        by copyright, we cannot post this fix.

        We are therefore submitting our source to Sun, who we hope can
        then supply a secure binmail(1) in the near future.

WORKAROUND & FIX:

        1. Contact your vendor for a patch.

        2. The current patch for binmail(1) is the most secure fix
        available from Sun, so is recommended for use.  If your system
        is using a port of BSDs mail.local, we recommend continuing the
        use of this.

FEEDBACK AND CONTACT INFORMATION:

        8lgm-bugs () bagpuss demon co uk           (To report security flaws)

        8lgm-request () bagpuss demon co uk        (Mailing list additions -
                                                 processed automatically;
                                                 just send any message)

        8lgm () bagpuss demon co uk                (Everything else)

        System Administrators are encouraged to contact us for any
        other information they may require about the problems described
        in this advisory.

        We welcome reports about which platforms this flaw does or does
        not exist on.

        NB: 8lgm-bugs () bagpuss demon co uk is intended to be used by
        people wishing to report which platforms/OS's the bugs in our
        advisories are present on.  Please do *not* send information on
        other bugs to this address - report them to your vendor and/or
        comp.security.unix instead.

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