FAM server lists files on IRIX systems
| irix-fam (325) |  Low Risk |
Description:
The IRIX File Alteration Monitor (fam) daemon could allow a remote attacker to obtain sensitive information.When a program initially connects to the fam server, it passes the name of a file or directory to watch. If the fam server receives a directory name, it returns the client a complete list of files and subdirectories in that directory. By passing the fam server a request to list the root directory, and by systematically following the subdirectories, an attacker can remotely obtain a complete list of files on the system.
Platforms Affected:
- Linux, Kernel
- SGI, IRIX
Remedy:
Determine if the fam daemon is running, and if so, disable the daemon.
To determine whether your workstation is running this service, type:
% /usr/etc/rpcinfo -p | grep 391002
If you are vulnerable, you will see the following line:
391002 1 tcp 1051 sgi_fam
If no output occurs, then you are not running a fam server. Any other type of output, such as an error message, probably indicates that you are either specifying the wrong directory for the rpcinfo program, or that there are no rpc services running on this system.
— AND —
If you do not use any programs that require fam, such as the IRIX file manager, fm(1G), or mailbox(1), then disable the fam service by commenting out the entry for it in /etc/inetd.conf and rebooting. Silicon Graphics has been notified of this problem and recommends that sites concerned about security disable the fam service.
Consequences:
Obtain Information
References:
- Network Associates, Inc. COVERT Labs Security Advisory #16, July 14, 1997, Silicon Graphics IRIX fam service at http://packetstormsecurity.nl/advisories/nai/SNI-15.FAM.advisory. (From Packet Storm archive)
- BID-353: IRIX fam service Vulnerability
- CVE-1999-0059: IRIX fam service allows an attacker to obtain a list of all files on the server.
- OSVDB ID: 164: IRIX File Alteration Monitor (fam) Arbitrary Directory Listing
Reported:
Jul 14, 1997
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