iDEFENSE Security Advisory 02.23.05: Sun Solaris kcms_configure Arbitrary File Corruption Vulnerability
Sun Solaris kcms_configure Arbitrary File Corruption Vulnerability
iDEFENSE Security Advisory 02.23.05
www.idefense.com/application/poi/display?id=206&type=vulnerabilities
February 23, 2005
I. BACKGROUND
The kcms_configure utility is part of the Kodak Color Management System
(KCMS) package that is included with Solaris. It is installed setuid
root by default.
II. DESCRIPTION
Local exploitation of a race condition in the Kodak Color Management
System's kcms_configure script packaged with Sun Microsystems Inc.
Solaris operating system can allow for the corruption of arbitrary files
on the system.
The problem specifically exists due to logging errors within
kcms_configure, a set user id (setuid) root script. The file
KCS_ClogFile will be written to if it exists in the current directory.
Due to a lack of sanity checking a local attacker can redirect log file
output to an arbitrary file on the system through the usage of symbolic
links. By specifying an invalid monitor profile argument the attacker
can force an error log entry to be written.
III. ANALYSIS
Successful exploitation allows local attackers to corrupt arbitrary
files on the system. Attackers can use this ability to append to
important system files, possibly resulting in a denial of service or
local privilege elevation.
IV. DETECTION
iDEFENSE has confirmed the existence of this vulnerability in Sun
Solaris versions 8 and 9. It is suspected that previous versions are
also vulnerable. It has been reported that Solaris 10 pre-release is
also vulnerable.
V. WORKAROUND
Remove the setuid bit from kcms_configure:
# chmod -s /usr/openwin/bin/kcms_configure
VI. VENDOR RESPONSE
This issue is addressed in Sun Alert ID #57706 available at:
http://www.sunsolve.sun.com/search/printfriendly.do?assetkey=1-26-57706-
1
VII. CVE INFORMATION
The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) project has assigned the
names CAN-2004-0481 to these issues. This is a candidate for inclusion
in the CVE list (http://cve.mitre.org), which standardizes names for
security problems.
VIII. DISCLOSURE TIMELINE
04/27/2004 Initial vendor notification
04/27/2004 Initial vendor response
02/23/2005 Public disclosure
IX. CREDIT
iDEFENSE Labs is credited with this discovery.
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X. LEGAL NOTICES
Copyright (c) 2005 iDEFENSE, Inc.
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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.