Red Hat Enterprise Linux autofs hosts map weak security

autofs-hostsmap-weak-security (39188) The risk level is classified as LowLow Risk

Description:

autofs running on Red Hat Enterprise Linux could provide weaker than expected security. The host map configuration file does not include to nodev mount option. By creating special device files on a remote NFS server, a local attacker could exploit this vulnerability to access restricted system devices.

*CVSS:

Base Score: 1.9
  Access Vector: Local
  Access Complexity: Medium
  Authentication: None
  Confidentiality Impact: None
  Integrity Impact: Partial
  Availability Impact: None
 
Temporal Score: 1.4
  Exploitability: Unproven
  Remediation Level: Official-Fix
  Report Confidence: Confirmed

Consequences:

Gain Privileges

Remedy:

Apply the appropriate update for your system. See References.

References:

  • Red Hat Bugzilla Bug 426218: CVE-2007-6285 autofs default doesn't set nodev in /net.
  • ASA-2008-009: autofs5 security update (RHSA-2007-1177)
  • BID-26970: autofs nodev Mount Option Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
  • CVE-2007-6285: The default configuration for autofs 5 (autofs5) in some Linux distributions, such as Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 4 and 5, does not specify the nodev mount option for the -hosts map, which allows local users to access important devices by operating a remote NFS server and creating special device files on that server, as demonstrated by the /dev/mem device.
  • MDVSA-2008:009: Updated autofs packages fix insecure hosts configuration
  • MDVSA-2008:009-1: Updated autofs packages fix insecure hosts configuration
  • RHSA-2007-1176: Important: autofs security update
  • RHSA-2007-1177: Important: autofs5 security update
  • SA28156: Red Hat autofs "nodev" Security Bypass Vulnerability
  • SECTRACK ID: 1019137: autofs Lets Local Users Gain Elevated Privileges

Platforms Affected:

  • Autofs autofs 5
  • MandrakeSoft Mandrake Linux 2007 X86_64
  • MandrakeSoft Mandrake Linux 2007
  • MandrakeSoft Mandrake Linux 2007.1 X86_64
  • MandrakeSoft Mandrake Linux 2007.1
  • MandrakeSoft Mandrake Linux 2008.0 X86_64
  • MandrakeSoft Mandrake Linux 2008.0
  • RedHat Enterprise Linux 4 WS
  • RedHat Enterprise Linux 4 ES
  • RedHat Enterprise Linux 4 AS
  • RedHat Enterprise Linux 4 Desktop
  • RedHat Enterprise Linux 5 Client
  • RedHat Enterprise Linux 5

Reported:

Dec 19, 2007

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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 IBM be held liable for any damages whatsoever arising out of or in connection with the use or spread of this information.

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