Linux ptrace race condition allows a local attacker to gain root privileges

linux-ptrace-race-condition (7311) The risk level is classified as HighHigh Risk

Description:

The ptrace program in some Linux distributions is vulnerable to a race condition that could allow a local attacker to gain root privileges. If ptrace is running in the background and a setuid root binary program (such as newgrp which executes a shell) is executed, a local attacker can execute arbitrary code on the system to gain root privileges.

Platforms Affected:

  • Conectiva, Linux 5.0
  • Conectiva, Linux 5.1
  • Conectiva, Linux 6.0
  • Conectiva, Linux 7.0
  • Conectiva, Linux ecommerce
  • Conectiva, Linux prg_graficos
  • HP, Secure OS 1.0
  • Immunix, Immunix OS 6.2
  • Immunix, Immunix OS 7.0
  • Linux, Kernel 2.2.0
  • Linux, Kernel 2.2.1
  • Linux, Kernel 2.2.10
  • Linux, Kernel 2.2.11
  • Linux, Kernel 2.2.12
  • Linux, Kernel 2.2.13
  • Linux, Kernel 2.2.14
  • Linux, Kernel 2.2.15
  • Linux, Kernel 2.2.16
  • Linux, Kernel 2.2.17
  • Linux, Kernel 2.2.18
  • Linux, Kernel 2.2.19
  • Linux, Kernel 2.2.2
  • Linux, Kernel 2.2.3
  • Linux, Kernel 2.2.4
  • Linux, Kernel 2.2.5
  • Linux, Kernel 2.2.6
  • Linux, Kernel 2.2.7
  • Linux, Kernel 2.2.8
  • Linux, Kernel 2.2.9
  • Linux, Kernel 2.4.10
  • Linux, Kernel 2.4.2
  • Linux, Kernel 2.4.3
  • Linux, Kernel 2.4.7
  • Linux, Kernel 2.4.8
  • Linux, Kernel 2.4.9
  • MandrakeSoft, Mandrake Linux 7.1
  • MandrakeSoft, Mandrake Linux 7.2
  • MandrakeSoft, Mandrake Linux 8.0
  • MandrakeSoft, Mandrake Linux 8.1
  • MandrakeSoft, Mandrake Linux Corporate Server 1.0.1
  • MandrakeSoft, Mandrake Single Network Firewall 7.2
  • RedHat, Linux 6.2
  • RedHat, Linux 7
  • RedHat, Linux 7.1
  • RedHat, Linux 7.2
  • RedHat, Linux 7.3
  • SCO, Caldera OpenLinux 2.3
  • SCO, Caldera OpenLinux eBuilder
  • SCO, Caldera OpenLinux eDesktop 2.4
  • SCO, Caldera OpenLinux eServer 2.3.1
  • SCO, Caldera OpenLinux Server 3.1
  • SCO, Caldera OpenLinux Workstation 3.1
  • SuSE, SuSE Linux 6.3
  • SuSE, SuSE Linux 6.4
  • SuSE, SuSE Linux 7.0
  • SuSE, SuSE Linux 7.1
  • SuSE, SuSE Linux 7.2
  • SuSE, SuSE Linux 7.3
  • Trustix, Secure Linux 1.01
  • Trustix, Secure Linux 1.1
  • Trustix, Secure Linux 1.2
  • Trustix, Secure Linux 1.5

Remedy:

For Caldera OpenLinux 2.3:
Upgrade to the latest Linux kernel package (2.2.10-13 or later), as listed in Caldera International, Inc. Security Advisory CSSA-2001-036.0. See References.

For Caldera OpenLinux eServer 2.3.1 and eBuilder:
Upgrade to the latest Linux kernel package (2.2.14-12S or later), as listed in Caldera International, Inc. Security Advisory CSSA-2001-036.0. See References.

For Caldera OpenLinux eDesktop 2.4:
Upgrade to the latest Linux kernel package (2.2.14-8 or later), as listed in Caldera International, Inc. Security Advisory CSSA-2001-036.0. See References.

For Caldera OpenLinux Server 3.1:
Upgrade to the latest Linux kernel package (2.4.2-13S or later), as listed in Caldera International, Inc. Security Advisory CSSA-2001-036.0. See References.

For Caldera OpenLinux Workstation 3.1:
Upgrade to the latest Linux kernel package (2.4.2-13D or later), as listed in Caldera International, Inc. Security Advisory CSSA-2001-036.0. See References.

For Trustix Secure Linux 1.01, 1.1, 1.2, and 1.5:
Upgrade to the latest Linux kernel package (2.2.19-6tr or later), as listed in Trustix Secure Linux Security Advisory #2001-0028. See References.

For EnGarde Secure Linux 1.0.1:
Upgrade to the latest Linux kernel package (2.2.19-1.0.20 or later), as listed in EnGarde Secure Linux Security Advisory ESA-20011019-02. See References.

For Immunix OS 7.0:
Upgrade to the latest Linux kernel package (2.2.19-8_imnx or later), as listed in Immunix OS Security Advisory IMNX-2001-70-035-01. See References.

For Red Hat Linux 7.1:

Upgrade to the Linux kernel package (2.4.9-6 or later), as listed in RHSA-2001:129-05. See References.

For Conectiva Linux 5.0, prg graficos, ecommerce, 5.1, 6.0, and 7.0:
Upgrade to the latest Linux kernel package (2.2.19 or later), as listed in Conectiva Linux Security Annoucement CLA-2001:432. See References.

For SuSE Linux 6.3, 6.4, 7.0, 7.1, 7.2, and 7.3:
Upgrade to the appropriate Linux kernel package, by following the instructions listed in SuSE Security Announcement SuSE-SA:2001:036. See References.

For systems running HP Secure OS software for Linux Release 1.0:
Apply the appropriate patch for your system, as listed in Hewlett-Packard Company Security Bulletin HPSBTL0112-003. See References.

For Mandrake Linux 7.1, 7.2, 8.0, 8.1, Corporate Server 1.0.1, and Single Network Firewall 7.2:
Upgrade to the latest Linux kernel package (2.2.19 or later), as listed in MandrakeSoft Security Advisory MDKSA-2001:082-1 : kernel. See References.

For other distributions:
Contact your vendor for upgrade or patch information.

Consequences:

Gain Privileges

References:

Reported:

Oct 18, 2001

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