[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:

Contact your vendor for a patch.
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)

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						 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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