OpenVPN setenv LD_PRELOAD code execution

openvpn-ldpreload-code-execution (25667) The risk level is classified as MediumMedium Risk

Description:

OpenVPN could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on OpenVPN client systems. If the attacker is in control of a malicious OpenVPN server and a client initiates a connection to the server, the attacker could set the LD_PRELOAD environment variable on the client system using the "setenv" configuration directive. This could allow the attacker to send malicious files to the victim's system, which could then be loaded and executed.

Platforms Affected:

  • Debian, Debian Linux 3.1
  • FreeBSD, FreeBSD
  • MandrakeSoft, Mandrake Linux 2006 X86_64
  • MandrakeSoft, Mandrake Linux 2006
  • MandrakeSoft, Mandrake Multi Network Firewall 2.0
  • NetBSD, NetBSD
  • OpenBSD, OpenBSD
  • OpenVPN, OpenVPN 2.0 - 2.0.5

Remedy:

Upgrade to the latest version of OpenVPN (2.0.6 or later), available from the OpenVPN Web site. See References.

For Debian GNU/Linux:
Refer to DSA-1045-1 for patch, upgrade, or suggested workaround information. See References.

Consequences:

Gain Access

References:

  • OpenVPN 2.0.x Change Log, 2006.04.05 -- Version 2.0.6 at http://openvpn.net/changelog.html.
  • OpenVPN Web site, OpenVPN - An Open Source SSL VPN Solution by James Yonan at http://openvpn.net/.
  • BID-17392: OpenVPN Client Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
  • CVE-2006-1629: OpenVPN 2.0 through 2.0.5 allows remote malicious servers to execute arbitrary code on the client by using setenv with the LD_PRELOAD environment variable.
  • DSA-1045: openvpn -- design error
  • MDKSA-2006:069: Updated openvpn packages fix vulnerability
  • OSVDB ID: 24444: OpenVPN LD_PRELOAD Environment Variable Pushing Arbitrary Code Execution
  • SA19531: OpenVPN LD_PRELOAD Environment Variable Pushing Vulnerability
  • SUSE-SR:2006:009: SUSE Security Summary Report
  • VUPEN/ADV-2006-1261: OpenVPN LD_PRELOAD Environment Variable Code Execution Vulnerability

Reported:

Apr 05, 2006

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