IBM AIX aixterm libIM library buffer overflow

aix-aixterm-libim-bo (11309) The risk level is classified as HighHigh Risk

Description:

IBM AIX could allow a local attacker to gain root privileges on the system. By passing an overly long string to the /usr/lpp/X11/bin/aixterm binary using the -lm command line argument, a local attacker could overflow a buffer in the libIM library, which would cause the aixterm binary to crash and allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code on the system with root privileges.


Consequences:

Gain Privileges

Remedy:

Apply the appropriate APAR patch for your system, as listed below, available from the AIX Fix Distribution Service. See References.

AIX 4.3.3: IY40307
AIX 5.1.0: IY40317
AIX 5.2.0: IY40320

References:

Platforms Affected:

  • IBM AIX 4.3.3
  • IBM AIX 5.1
  • IBM AIX 5.2

Reported:

Feb 12, 2003

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