=========================================================================== CA-92:07 CERT Advisory March 31, 1992 AIX /bin/passwd Vulnerability --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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).