Vulnerability Note VU#172583

Common Desktop Environment (CDE) Subprocess Control Service dtspcd contains buffer overflow

Overview

A remotely exploitable buffer overflow exists in the Common Desktop Environment (CDE) Subprocess Control Service (dtspcd). An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute arbitrary code as root.

I. Description

Internet Security Systems (ISS) X-Force has reported a remotely exploitable buffer overflow in the Common Desktop Environment (CDE) Subprocess Control Service (dtspcd). CDE is an integrated graphical user interface that runs on Unix and Linux operating systems. dtspcd is a network daemon that accepts requests from clients to execute commands and launch applications remotely. On systems running CDE, dtspcd is spawned by the Internet services daemon (typically inetd or xinetd) in response to a CDE client request. dtspcd is typically configured to run on port 6112/tcp with root privileges. dtspcd makes a function call to a shared library, libDTSvc.so.1, that contains a buffer overflow condition in the client connection routine. The buffer overflow can be exploited by a specially crafted CDE client request. Although the buffer overflow occurs in a shared library, the CERT/CC is not aware of any other CDE applications that use the vulnerable function.

II. Impact

A successful attacker can execute arbitrary code remotely with root privileges.

III. Solution

Apply Patch

Apply the appropriate vendor supplied patch as described in the vendor section below.

Disable Vulnerable Service

Until a patch can be applied, you may wish to consider disabling dtspcd. Typically, this may be achieved by commenting out the approprate entry in /etc/inetd.conf. As a general practice, CERT/CC recommends disabling any services that are not explicitly required. It is important to carefully consider the consequences of disabling dtspcd in your environment.

/etc/inetd.conf

dtspc stream tcp nowait root /usr/dt/bin/dtspcd /usr/dt/bin/dtspcd

Block or Restrict Access

Monitor or block external access to 6112/tcp. It may be possible to use TCP Wrapper or a similar technology to provide improved access control and logging. Additionally, an application-level firewall may be able to filter requests made to dtspcd.

Systems Affected

Vendor	Status	Date Notified
Compaq Computer Corporation	Vulnerable	30-May-2002
Cray Inc.	Not Vulnerable	31-Oct-2001
Data General	Unknown	31-Oct-2001
Fujitsu	Not Vulnerable	31-Oct-2001
Hewlett-Packard Company	Vulnerable	8-Mar-2002
IBM	Vulnerable	11-Aug-2003
SGI	Vulnerable	3-Apr-2002
Sun Microsystems Inc.	Vulnerable	10-Jan-2002
The Open Group	Vulnerable	12-Nov-2001
The SCO Group (SCO UnixWare)	Vulnerable	13-Sep-2002
TriTeal	Unknown	12-Nov-2001
Xi Graphics	Vulnerable	15-Nov-2001

References

http://www.cert.org/advisories/CA-2001-31.html
http://xforce.iss.net/alerts/advise101.php
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/3517

Credit

This vulnerability was reported to the CERT Coordination Center by Internet Security Systems (ISS) X-Force.

This document was written by Art Manion.

Other Information

Date Public:	2001-11-07
Date First Published:	2001-11-12
Date Last Updated:	2003-08-11
CERT Advisory:	CA-2001-31
CVE-ID(s):	CVE-2001-0803
NVD-ID(s):	CVE-2001-0803
US-CERT Technical Alerts:
Metric:	16.30
Document Revision:	45

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