GNU Coreutils pam_succeed_if security bypass
| coreutils-pamsucceedif-security-bypass (43993) |  Medium Risk |
Description:
GNU Coreutils could allow a local attacker to bypass security restrictions, caused by the improper use of the Pluggable Authentication Module (PAM) pam_succeed_if() function in a configuration file. By sending an "su" command, a local attacker with knowledge of the password could exploit this vulnerability to bypass security restrictions and gain unauthorized access to a locked or expired account.
*CVSS:
| Base Score: | 4.4 |
| Access Vector: | Local |
| Access Complexity: | Medium |
| Authentication: | None |
| Confidentiality Impact: | Partial |
| Integrity Impact: | Partial |
| Availability Impact: | Partial |
| Temporal Score: | 3.3 |
| Exploitability: | Unproven |
| Remediation Level: | Official-Fix |
| Report Confidence: | Confirmed |
Consequences:
Bypass Security
Remedy:
Apply the appropriate update for your system. See References.
References:
- GNU Web site: Coreutils - GNU core utilities.
- ASA-2008-364: coreutils security update (RHSA-2008-0780)
- BID-30363: GNU Coreutils 'pam_succeed_if' PAM Local Authentication Bypass Vulnerability
- CVE-2008-1946: The default configuration of su in /etc/pam.d/su in GNU coreutils 5.2.1 allows local users to gain the privileges of a (1) locked or (2) expired account by entering the account name on the command line, related to improper use of the pam_succeed_if.so module.
- RHSA-2008-0780: Low: coreutils security update
- SECTRACK ID: 1020552: coreutils Red Hat PAM Configuration Bug May Let Local Users Gain Elevated Privileges
Platforms Affected:
- GNU Coreutils 5.2.1
- GNU Coreutils
- RedHat Enterprise Linux 4 WS
- RedHat Enterprise Linux 4 ES
- RedHat Enterprise Linux 4 Desktop
- RedHat Enterprise Linux 4 AS
Reported:
Jul 24, 2008
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* According to the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST), the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) is an "industry open standard designed to convey vulnerability severity and help to determine urgency and priority of response." IBM PROVIDES THE CVSS SCORES "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. CUSTOMERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF ANY ACTUAL OR POTENTIAL SECURITY VULNERABILITY.
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.