Conectiva Linux Advisory: util-linux

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CONECTIVA LINUX SECURITY ANNOUNCEMENT 
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PACKAGE   : util-linux
SUMMARY   : Local root vulnerability in chfn
DATE      : 2002-09-12 15:54:00
ID        : CLA-2002:523
RELEVANT
RELEASES  : 6.0, 7.0, 8

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DESCRIPTION
 The util-linux package contains a large variety of system
 utilities that are necessary for a Linux system to function.
 Among many features, it includes the chfn utility, a suid root tool
 used to change user account information.
 
 Michal Zalewski found a race condition vulnerability[1] in the way
 chfn locks files when changing /etc/passwd. In order to sucessfully
 exploit this vulnerability, some administrator interaction is needed
 and there are some prerequisites to fulfill. Full details can be
 found in the Bindview advisory[2].
 
 Having what appears to be a stale /etc/ptmptmp file could be a sign
 that the vulnerability is being exploited. In that case, the
 administrator should investigate current users and processes before
 attemtping to remove this file.
 
 The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures project (cve.mitre.org/) has
 assigned the name CAN-2002-0638 to this issue[3].
 
 Please note that the fixed packages were available in our ftp servers
 since September 2nd, 2002.


SOLUTION
 All users should upgrade.
 
 
 REFERENCES:
 1.http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/405955
 2.http://razor.bindview.com/publish/advisories/adv_chfn.html
 3.http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CAN-2002-0638
 4.http://distro.conectiva.com.br/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=6401


DIRECT DOWNLOAD LINKS TO THE UPDATED PACKAGES
ftp://atualizacoes.conectiva.com.br/6.0/RPMS/util-linux-2.10o-2U60_1cl.i386.rpm
ftp://atualizacoes.conectiva.com.br/6.0/SRPMS/util-linux-2.10o-2U60_1cl.src.rpm
ftp://atualizacoes.conectiva.com.br/7.0/RPMS/util-linux-2.10s-4U70_1cl.i386.rpm
ftp://atualizacoes.conectiva.com.br/7.0/SRPMS/util-linux-2.10s-4U70_1cl.src.rpm
ftp://atualizacoes.conectiva.com.br/8/RPMS/util-linux-2.11n-4U80_1cl.i386.rpm
ftp://atualizacoes.conectiva.com.br/8/SRPMS/util-linux-2.11n-4U80_1cl.src.rpm


ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS
 Users of Conectiva Linux version 6.0 or higher may use apt to perform 
 upgrades of RPM packages:
 - add the following line to /etc/apt/sources.list if it is not there yet
   (you may also use linuxconf to do this):

 rpm [cncbr] ftp://atualizacoes.conectiva.com.br 6.0/conectiva updates

(replace 6.0 with the correct version number if you are not running CL6.0)

 - run:                 apt-get update
 - after that, execute: apt-get upgrade

 Detailed instructions reagarding the use of apt and upgrade examples 
 can be found at http://distro.conectiva.com.br/atualizacoes/#apt?idioma=en


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All packages are signed with Conectiva's GPG key. The key and instructions
on how to import it can be found at 
http://distro.conectiva.com.br/seguranca/chave/?idioma=en
Instructions on how to check the signatures of the RPM packages can be
found at http://distro.conectiva.com.br/seguranca/politica/?idioma=en
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All our advisories and generic update instructions can be viewed at
http://distro.conectiva.com.br/atualizacoes/?idioma=en

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