IMAP AUTHENTICATE overflow could allow remote root access

imap-authenticate-bo (1463) The risk level is classified as HighHigh Risk

Description:

The Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) servers are vulnerable to a buffer overflow in the IMAP AUTHENTICATE command. By submitting a specially-crafted IMAP AUTHENTICATE command to the IMAP server, an attacker could overflow a buffer to execute arbitrary commands on the victim site as the user running imapd, usually root.

This vulnerability is not the vulnerability described in CERT Advisory CA-97.09, which describes a buffer overflow in the IMAP LOGIN command.

Platforms Affected:

  • Apple, Mac OS
  • Cisco, IOS
  • Compaq, Tru64
  • Data General, DG/UX
  • HP, HP-UX
  • IBM, AIX
  • IBM, OS2
  • Linux, Kernel
  • Mark Crispin, Stanford University, Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP)
  • Microsoft, Windows 2000
  • Microsoft, Windows 2003 Server
  • Microsoft, Windows 95
  • Microsoft, Windows 98
  • Microsoft, Windows 98SE
  • Microsoft, Windows Me
  • Microsoft, Windows NT 4.0
  • Microsoft, Windows XP
  • Novell, NetWare
  • RedHat, Linux 4.2
  • SCO, SCO Unix
  • SGI, IRIX
  • Sun, Internet Mail Server 2.0
  • Sun, Internet Mail Server 3.0
  • Sun, Solaris
  • WindRiver, BSDOS

Remedy:

For Sun Microsystems:
Apply the appropriate patch for your system, as listed in Sun Microsystems, Inc. Security Bulletin #00177. See References.

For Silicon Graphics, Inc.:
Upgrade to the latest version of the imapd daemon, available from the University of Washington FTP server. See References.

For other distributions:
Contact your vendor for upgrade or patch information.

Consequences:

Gain Access

References:

Reported:

Jul 17, 1998

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