=========================================================================== CA-92:08 CERT Advisory April 10, 1992 Silicon Graphics Computer Systems "IRIX" lp Vulnerability --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Computer Emergency Response Team/Coordination Center (CERT/CC) has received information concerning a method of unauthorized root access in the lp software in Silicon Graphics Computer Systems (SGI) IRIX operating systems. This vulnerability is present in all current versions of IRIX. Silicon Graphics Computer Systems and the CERT/CC strongly recommend that sites take immediate action to eliminate this vulnerability from their systems. This vulnerability will be fixed in IRIX 4.0.5 and is NOT present in any version of the Trusted IRIX/B product. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. Description When IRIX pre-4.0.5 systems are installed or updated using either the basic system software ("eoe1.sw.unix") or the system manager software ("eoe2.sw.vadmin") media, a vulnerability is introduced in the lp software. II. Impact Any user logged into the system can gain root access. III. Solution As root, execute the following commands: # cd /usr/lib # chmod a-s,go-w lpshut lpmove accept reject lpadmin # chmod go-ws lpsched vadmin/serial_ports vadmin/users vadmin/disks # cd /usr/bin # chmod a-s,go-w disable enable # chmod go-ws cancel lp lpstat If the eoe2.sw.vadmin software is not installed, you may ignore any warning messages from chmod such as: "chmod: WARNING: can't access vadmin/serial_ports" If system software should ever be reinstalled from pre-4.0.5 media or restored from a backup tape created before the patch was applied, repeat the above procedure before enabling logins by normal users. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The CERT/CC would like to thank Silicon Graphics Computer Systems for bringing this security vulnerability to our attention and for their quick response to this problem. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you believe that your system has been compromised, contact CERT/CC or your representative in FIRST (Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams). Internet E-mail: cert@cert.sei.cmu.edu Telephone: 412-268-7090 (24-hour hotline) CERT/CC personnel answer 7:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m. EST(GMT-5)/EDT(GMT-4), on call for emergencies during other hours. Computer Emergency Response Team/Coordination Center (CERT/CC) Software Engineering Institute Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890 Past advisories, information about FIRST representatives, and other information related to computer security are available for anonymous ftp from cert.sei.cmu.edu (192.88.209.5). Please note: cert.sei.cmu.edu is soon to become cert.org.