SkipNavigation
US-CERT
American Flag
  Vulnerability
Notes
Database

Search Vulnerability Notes

Vulnerability Notes Help Information


 
 View Notes By
  Name

ID Number

CVE Name

Date Public

Date Published

Date Updated

Severity Metric



 Other Documents
  Technical Alerts

Technical Bulletins

Alerts

Security Tips

Vulnerability Note VU#299816

Common Desktop Environment (CDE) ToolTalk RPC database server (rpc.ttdbserverd) does not adequately validate file operations

Overview

The Common Desktop Environment (CDE) ToolTalk RPC database server does not adequately validate file operations and follows symbolic links, allowing a local attacker to overwrite any file that is writeable by the server. The ToolTalk RPC database server typically runs with root privileges.

I. Description

CORE SECURITY TECHNOLOGIES has reported a vulnerability in the CDE ToolTalk RPC database server (rpc.ttdbserverd). A component of CDE, the ToolTalk architecture allows applications to communicate with each other via remote procedure calls (RPC) across different hosts and platforms. The ToolTalk RPC database server manages connections between ToolTalk applications. CDE and ToolTalk are installed and enabled by default on many common UNIX platforms.

Certain ToolTalk RPC database functions, among them _TT_TRANSACTION(), create and write to files that are referenced by user-supplied path and filename arguments. The ToolTalk RPC database server does not check that the file used in a create or write operation is not a symbolic link. By first creating a symbolic link, then issuing a specially crafted RPC call, a local attacker can overwrite the target of the symbolic link with arbitrary contents.

II. Impact

A local attacker could overwrite any file writeable by the ToolTalk RPC database server. This technique could be used to gain the privileges of the ToolTalk RPC database server, typically root.

III. Solution

Apply a Patch

When available, apply a patch from your vendor.

Disable rpc.ttdbserverd

Until patches are available and can be applied, you may wish to consider disabling the ToolTalk RPC database service. As a general best practice, the CERT/CC recommends disabling any services that are not explicitly required. The ToolTalk RPC database service may be enabled in /etc/rpc or in /etc/inetd.conf. On a Solaris 8 system, comment out the following entry in /etc/inetd.conf to disable the ToolTalk RPC database service (rpc.ttdbserverd):

#
# Sun ToolTalk Database Server
#
100083/1        tli     rpc/tcp wait root /usr/dt/bin/rpc.ttdbserverd rpc.ttdbserverd

The rpcinfo(1M) and ps(1) commands may be useful in determining if you system is running the ToolTalk RPC database server. On a Solaris 8 system, the following examples indicate that the ToolTalk RPC database server is running:

# rpcinfo -p | grep 100083
    100083    1   tcp   32773

# ps -ef | grep rpc.ttdbserverd
    root   355   164  0  19:31:27 ?        0:00 rpc.ttdbserverd

Block or Restrict Access

Until patches are available and can be applied, block or restrict access to the RPC portmapper service and the ToolTalk RPC database service from untrusted networks such as the Internet. Using a firewall or other packet-filtering technology, block the ports used by the RPC portmapper and ToolTalk RPC services. The RPC portmapper service typically runs on ports 111/tcp and 111/udp. The ToolTalk RPC service may be configured to use port 692/tcp or another port as indicated in output from the rpcinfo command. Keep in mind that blocking ports at a network perimeter does not protect the vulnerable service from the internal network. It is important to understand your network configuration and service requirements before deciding what changes are appropriate.

Systems Affected

VendorStatusDate NotifiedDate Updated
Compaq Computer CorporationVulnerable9-Sep-2002
Cray Inc.Unknown11-Jul-2002
Data GeneralUnknown11-Jul-2002
FujitsuNot Vulnerable11-Jul-2002
Hewlett-Packard CompanyVulnerable15-Aug-2002
IBMVulnerable11-Jul-2002
SGIVulnerable7-Nov-2002
Sun Microsystems Inc.Vulnerable11-Jul-2002
The Open GroupUnknown11-Jul-2002
The SCO Group (SCO UnixWare)Vulnerable13-Sep-2002
TriTealUnknown12-Jul-2002
Xi GraphicsVulnerable11-Jul-2002

References

VU#975403
http://www.corest.com/common/showdoc.php?idx=251&idxseccion=10
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/5083

Credit

The CERT/CC thanks Ricardo Quesada and Iván Arce of CORE SECURITY TECHNOLOGIES for reporting this vulnerability.

This document was written by Art Manion.

Other Information

Date Public:2002-07-10
Date First Published:2002-07-11
Date Last Updated:2002-08-15
CERT Advisory:CA-2002-20
CVE-ID(s):CAN-2002-0678
NVD-ID(s):CAN-2002-0678
US-CERT Technical Alerts: 
Metric:12.18
Document Revision:11

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.
 

 
Page Corner Image
Copyright 2002 Carnegie Mellon University
Disclaimers and copyright information
Get Adobe Reader Get Adobe Reader