CERT Advisory CA-1992-07 AIX /bin/passwd Vulnerability

Original issue date: March 31, 1992
Last revised: September 19, 1997
Attached copyright statement

A complete revision history is at the end of this file.

The Computer Emergency Response Team/Coordination Center (CERT/CC) has received information concerning a vulnerability with the passwd command in AIX 3.2 and the 2007 update of AIX 3.1.

IBM is aware of this problem, and a fix is available as apar number "ix23505". Patches are available for AIX 3.2 and the 2007 update of AIX 3.1.

This fix may be ordered from Level 2 support or by anonymous ftp from software.watson.ibm.com (129.34.139.5) on the Internet.

1. To order from IBM call 1-800-237-5511 and ask that the fix be shipped. Patches may be obtained outside the U.S. by contacting your local IBM representative.

2. If you are on the Internet, use anonymous ftp to obtain the fix from software.watson.ibm.com.

         Patch           Filename                Checksum
         AIX 3.2         pub/aix3/pas.32.tar.Z   54431  2262
         AIX 3.1 2007    pub/aix3/pas.31.tar.Z   06703    99
   

   Patches should be retrieved using binary mode.

IBM is currently incorporating the fix into the 3.2 version and 3.1 updates of AIX. Future shipments of these products should not be vulnerable to this problem. If you have any questions about products you receive, please contact your IBM representative.

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I. Description

The passwd command contains a security vulnerability.

II. Impact

Local users can gain unauthorized root access.

III. Solution

A. As root, disable /bin/passwd until you obtain and install the patch.

        # chmod 0500 /bin/passwd

B. Obtain the fix from IBM and install according to the directions provided with the patch.

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The CERT/CC would like to thank Paul Selick of the University of Toronto for bringing this security vulnerability to our attention. We would also like to thank IBM for their quick response to this problem, and for making the patches available via anonymous ftp.

Copyright 1992 Carnegie Mellon University.

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Revision History

September 19,1997  Attached copyright statement