Midnight Commander command execution

midnight-commander-command-execution (18906) The risk level is classified as HighHigh Risk

Description:

Midnight Commander could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the system, caused by a vulnerability in the vfs/fish.c file.

Platforms Affected:

  • Debian, Debian Linux 3.0
  • GNOME, Midnight Commander 4.x
  • RedHat, Enterprise Linux 2.1 AS
  • RedHat, Enterprise Linux 2.1 WS
  • RedHat, Linux Advanced Workstation 2.1 Itanium
  • Turbolinux, Turbolinux 7 Server
  • Turbolinux, Turbolinux 7 Workstation
  • Turbolinux, Turbolinux 8 Server
  • Turbolinux, Turbolinux 8 Workstation

Remedy:

Reportedly, this has been fixed in the CVS repository.

For Debian GNU/Linux 3.0 (woody):
Upgrade to the latest version of mc (4.5.55-1.2woody5 or later), as listed in DSA-639-1. See References.

For Red Hat Linux:
Refer to RHSA-2005:512-08 for patch, upgrade, or suggested workaround information. See References.

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

Consequences:

Gain Access

References:

  • GNU Midnight Commander Web site, GNU Midnight Commander at http://www.ibiblio.org/mc/.
  • BID-12263: Midnight Commander Multiple Unspecified Vulnerabilities
  • CVE-2004-1175: fish.c in midnight commander allows remote attackers execute arbitrary programs via insecure filename quoting
  • DSA-639: mc -- several vulnerabilities
  • RHSA-2005-512: mc security update
  • SECTRACK ID: 1012903: Midnight Commander Format String, Buffer Overflow, and Memory Allocation Errors May Let Remote Users Deny Service or Execute Arbitrary Code
  • SUSE-SR:2005:003: SUSE Security Summary Report

Reported:

Jan 14, 2005

The information within this database may change without notice. Use of this information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS condition. There are NO warranties, implied or otherwise, with regard to this information or its use. Any use of this information is at the user's risk. In no event shall the author/distributor (IBM Internet Security Systems X-Force) be held liable for any damages whatsoever arising out of or in connection with the use or spread of this information.

For corrections or additions please email xforce@iss.net

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