IBM AIX ftp gets() buffer overflow

aix-ftp-bo (35627) The risk level is classified as HighHigh Risk

Description:

IBM AIX is vulnerable to multiple stack-based buffer overflows in the ftp client, caused by improper bounds checking by the gets() function. By sending multiple calls to the gets() function, a local attacker could overflow a buffer and execute arbitrary code on the system with root privileges.

*CVSS:

Base Score: 7
  Access Vector: Local
  Access Complexity: Low
  Authentication: Not Required
  Confidentiality Impact: Complete
  Integrity Impact: Complete
  Availability Impact: Complete
 
Temporal Score: 6
  Exploitability: Functional
  Remediation Level: Temporary-Fix
  Report Confidence: Confirmed

Consequences:

Gain Privileges

Remedy:

Apply the interim fix for this vulnerability (ftpgets_ifix.tar.Z), available from the IBM AIX FTP site. See References.

References:

  • IBM AIX FTP site: Index of /aix/efixes/security.
  • IBM SECURITY ADVISORY Tue Jul 24 10:03:54 CDT 2007: AIX ftp gets() Buffer Overflow Vulnerabilities.
  • iDefense Labs PUBLIC ADVISORY: 07.26.07: IBM AIX ftp gets() Multiple Buffer Overflow Vulnerabilities.
  • BID-25077: IBM AIX FTP Client Local Buffer Overflow Vulnerability
  • CVE-2007-4004: Buffer overflow in the ftp client in IBM AIX 5.3 SP6 and 5.2.0 allows local users to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors that trigger the overflow in a gets function call. NOTE: the client is setuid root on AIX, so this issue crosses privilege boundaries.
  • SA26219: IBM AIX Multiple Privilege Escalation Vulnerabilities
  • SECTRACK ID: 1018465: IBM AIX Buffer Overflow in ftp Command Lets Local Users Gain Elevated Privileges
  • VUPEN/ADV-2007-2675: IBM AIX ftp Utility gets() Function Multiple Local Buffer Overflow Vulnerabilities

Platforms Affected:

  • IBM AIX 5.2
  • IBM AIX 5.3

Reported:

Jul 26, 2007

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