Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2004 17:09:22 -0500
From: "customer service mailbox" <customerservice@...fense.com>
To: <bugtraq@...urityfocus.com>, <vulnwatch@...nwatch.org>
Subject: iDEFENSE Security Advisory 12.21.04: Hewlett Packard HP-UX ftpd Remote Buffer Overflow Vulnerability


Hewlett Packard HP-UX ftpd Remote Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

iDEFENSE Security Advisory 12.21.04
www.idefense.com/application/poi/display?id=175&type=vulnerabilities
December 21, 2004

I. BACKGROUND

HP-UX FTP Daemon is a service included in HP-UX that implements the File

Transfer Protocol.

II. DESCRIPTION

Remote exploitation of a buffer overflow vulnerability in the file 
transfer protocol (FTP) daemon included in multiple versions of Hewlett-
Packard Development Co.'s (HP) HP-UX allows attackers to gain remote 
root access in certain configurations. 

The problem specifically exists when the FTP daemon is configured via 
/etc/inetd.conf to log debug information using -v switch. This is a not 
a default configuration option. When parsing a long command request, an 
exploitable stack overflow will occur. The overflow occurs before 
authentication, thus eliminating the need for a local or anonymous FTP 
account.

III. ANALYSIS

Exploitation of this vulnerability allows unauthenticated remote 
attackers to execute arbitrary code under the privileges of the FTP 
daemon server, usually root. The severity of this issue is mitigated by 
the fact that in most production environments, administrators will not 
be using the debug-logging feature of FTP daemon.

IV. DETECTION

iDEFENSE has confirmed the existence of this vulnerability in HP-UX 
11.11i. It is suspected that previous versions are also vulnerable.

To determine if a specific configuration is vulnerable, check 
/etc/inetd.conf for the ftpd line and see if the debug switch is 
enabled: 

grep 'ftpd' /etc/inetd.conf | grep -- -v 

If the above command returns text, then the FTP daemon is running in 
debug mode.

V. WORKAROUND

Do not use the -v flag in the FTP daemon entry line in /etc/inetd.conf. 
If debug-logging is necessary, consider allowing only trusted hosts 
access to the service using firewall rules or TCP wrappers.

VI. VENDOR RESPONSE

This vulnerability was addressed in the following patches:

HP-UX B.11.00: PHNE_29460 
HP-UX B.11.04: PHNE_31034 
HP-UX B.11.11: PHNE_29461 
HP-UX B.11.22: PHNE_29462 

VII. CVE INFORMATION

A Mitre Corp. Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) number has not
been assigned yet.

VIII. DISCLOSURE TIMELINE

12/02/2004  Initial vendor notification
12/03/2004  Initial vendor response
12/21/2004  Public disclosure

IX. CREDIT

iDEFENSE Labs is credited with this discovery.

Get paid for vulnerability research
http://www.idefense.com/poi/teams/vcp.jsp

X. LEGAL NOTICES

Copyright (c) 2004 iDEFENSE, Inc.

Permission is granted for the redistribution of this alert
electronically. It may not be edited in any way without the express
written consent of iDEFENSE. If you wish to reprint the whole or any
part of this alert in any other medium other than electronically, please
email customerservice@...fense.com for permission.

Disclaimer: The information in the advisory is believed to be accurate
at the time of publishing based on currently available information. Use
of the information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS condition.
There are no warranties with regard to this information. Neither the
author nor the publisher accepts any liability for any direct, indirect,
or consequential loss or damage arising from use of, or reliance on,
this information.

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