Apple Mac OS X ppp daemon format string attack

macos-pppd-format-string (15297) The risk level is classified as MediumMedium Risk

Description:

Apple Mac OS X is vulnerable to a format string attack, caused by a vulnerability in the option_error function in the ppp daemon (pppd). By sending invalid command line arguments, a local attacker could view memory from the pppd's process and obtain sensitive information, including the user's PAP/CHAP authentication credentials.

Platforms Affected:

  • Apple, Mac OS X 10.1
  • Apple, Mac OS X 10.1.1
  • Apple, Mac OS X 10.1.2
  • Apple, Mac OS X 10.1.3
  • Apple, Mac OS X 10.1.4
  • Apple, Mac OS X 10.1.5
  • Apple, Mac OS X 10.2
  • Apple, Mac OS X 10.2.1
  • Apple, Mac OS X 10.2.2
  • Apple, Mac OS X 10.2.3
  • Apple, Mac OS X 10.2.4
  • Apple, Mac OS X 10.2.5
  • Apple, Mac OS X 10.2.6
  • Apple, Mac OS X 10.2.7
  • Apple, Mac OS X 10.2.8
  • Apple, Mac OS X 10.3
  • Apple, Mac OS X 10.3.1
  • Apple, Mac OS X 10.3.2
  • Apple, Mac OS X Server 10.1
  • Apple, Mac OS X Server 10.1.1
  • Apple, Mac OS X Server 10.1.2
  • Apple, Mac OS X Server 10.1.3
  • Apple, Mac OS X Server 10.1.4
  • Apple, Mac OS X Server 10.1.5
  • Apple, Mac OS X Server 10.2
  • Apple, Mac OS X Server 10.2.1
  • Apple, Mac OS X Server 10.2.2
  • Apple, Mac OS X Server 10.2.3
  • Apple, Mac OS X Server 10.2.4
  • Apple, Mac OS X Server 10.2.5
  • Apple, Mac OS X Server 10.2.6
  • Apple, Mac OS X Server 10.2.7
  • Apple, Mac OS X Server 10.2.8
  • Apple, Mac OS X Server 10.3
  • Apple, Mac OS X Server 10.3.1
  • Apple, Mac OS X Server 10.3.2

Remedy:

Apply Security Update 2004-02-23, as listed in @stake, Inc. Security Advisory a022304-1. See References.

Consequences:

Obtain Information

References:

  • @stake, Inc. Security Advisory a022304-1, Mac OS X pppd format string vulnerability at http://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/vulnwatch/2004-q1/0048.html.
  • BID-9730: Apple Mac OS X PPPD Format String Memory Disclosure Vulnerability
  • BID-9731: Multiple Apple Mac OS X Local And Remote Vulnerabilities
  • CVE-2004-0165: Format string vulnerability in Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) daemon (pppd) 2.4.0 for Mac OS X 10.3.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to read arbitrary pppd process data, including PAP or CHAP authentication credentials, to gain privileges.
  • OSVDB ID: 6822: Mac OS X pppd Format String Credential Leak
  • US-CERT VU#841742: Apple Mac OS X Point-to-Point Protocol daemon (pppd) contains format string vulnerability

Reported:

Feb 23, 2004

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