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[security bulletin] HPSBUX02102 SSRT051078 rev.4 - HP-UX usermod(1M) Local Unauthorized Access.



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SUPPORT COMMUNICATION - SECURITY BULLETIN

Document ID: c00614838
Version: 4

HPSBUX02102 SSRT051078 rev.4 - HP-UX usermod(1M) Local Unauthorized Access.

NOTICE: The information in this Security Bulletin should be acted upon as soon 
as possible.

Release Date: 2006-09-05
Last Updated: 2006-09-05

Potential Security Impact: Local unauthorized access to user and system files 
and directories.

Source: Hewlett-Packard Company, HP Software Security Response Team

VULNERABILITY SUMMARY
A vulnerability has been identified with certain versions of the HP-UX 
usermod(1M) command. 
A certain combination of options can result in recursively changing the 
ownership of all directories 
and files under a user's new home directory. This may result in unauthorized 
access to these 
directories and files.

References: none

SUPPORTED SOFTWARE VERSIONS*: ONLY impacted versions are listed.
HP-UX B.11.00, B.11.11, B.11.23

BACKGROUND

The behavior is present in HP-UX B.11.00, B.11.11, and B.11.23. For B.11.11, 
the affected version of usermod(1M) is present only in these patches: 
PHCO_29269, PHCO_30275, PHCO_32181.

The -d <dir> option of the command usermod(1M) specifies a new home 
directory for the login.

Executing a vulnerable version of usermod(1M) in the following manner

# usermod -d <dir> -u <new uid> -m <username>
or
# usermod -d <dir> -g <new or old gid> -m <username>

causes the ownership of all files and directories, including and beneath 
directory <dir> 
to be recursively changed to <username>.

If the directory <dir> is '/' the system will immediately become inoperable.
If directory <dir> is an existing directory other than '/' the change in 
ownership 
may not be an issue. If directories or files under directory <dir> were owned 
by 
an account other than <username>, the affected files or directories may be 
subject 
to unauthorized access.

AFFECTED VERSIONS

HP-UX B.11.00
============
OS-Core.SYS-ADMIN
action: install PHCO_34763 or subsequent

HP-UX B.11.11
============
OS-Core.SYS-ADMIN
action: install PHCO_33142 or subsequent

HP-UX B.11.23
============
OS-Core.SYS-ADMIN
OS-Core.SYS2-ADMIN
action: install PHCO_34764 or subsequent

END AFFECTED VERSIONS

RESOLUTION

HP has made the following patches available to resolve this issue.
The patches are available from http://itrc.hp.com

HP-UX B.11.00 - PHCO_34763 or subsequent.
HP-UX B.11.11 - PHCO_33142 or subsequent.
HP-UX B.11.23 - PHCO_34764 or subsequent.

All new patches only provide a version of usermod(1M) that does not exhibit the 
behavior. 
These patches will not detect any ownerships that may have been altered by the 
vulnerable 
version of usermod(1M). Customers should verify that file/directory ownerships 
have not 
been altered.

NOTE: The swverify option fix=true can restore altered ownerships for software 
installed by swinstall.

- ->MANUAL ACTIONS: No

B.11.00 - install PHCO_34763 or subsequent.
B.11.11 - install PHCO_33142 or subsequent.
B.11.23 - install PHCO_34764 or subsequent.


PRODUCT SPECIFIC INFORMATION

HP-UX Security Patch Check: Security Patch Check revision B.02.00 analyzes all 
HP-issued Security Bulletins to provide a subset of recommended actions that 
potentially affect a specific HP-UX system. For more information: 
http://software.hp.com/portal/swdepot/displayProductInfo.do?productNumber=B6834AA

HISTORY:
Version: 1 (rev.1) 15 March 2006 Initial release
Version: 2 (rev.2) 23 March 2006 clarified command syntax
Version: 3 (rev.3) 28 August 2006 added B.11.00 and B.11.23 patch
Version: 4 (rev.4) 05 September 2006 corrected Manual actions

Support: For further information, contact normal HP Services
support channel.

Report: To report a potential security vulnerability with any HP
supported product, send Email to: security-alert@xxxxxxx  It is
strongly recommended that security related information being
communicated to HP be encrypted using PGP, especially exploit
information.  To get the security-alert PGP key, please send an
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  Subject: get key

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To review previously published Security Bulletins visit:
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* The Software Product Category that this Security Bulletin
relates to is represented by the 5th and 6th characters of the
Bulletin number in the title:

    GN = HP General SW,
    MA = HP Management Agents,
    MI = Misc. 3rd party SW,
    MP = HP MPE/iX,
    NS = HP NonStop Servers,
    OV = HP OpenVMS,
    PI = HP Printing & Imaging,
    ST = HP Storage SW,
    TL = HP Trusted Linux,
    TU = HP Tru64 UNIX,
    UX = HP-UX,
    VV = HP Virtual Vault


System management and security procedures must be reviewed
frequently to maintain system integrity. HP is continually
reviewing and enhancing the security features of software products
to provide customers with current secure solutions.

"HP is broadly distributing this Security Bulletin in order to
bring to the attention of users of the affected HP products the
important security information contained in this Bulletin. HP
recommends that all users determine the applicability of this
information to their individual situations and take appropriate
action. HP does not warrant that this information is necessarily
accurate or complete for all user situations and, consequently, HP
will not be responsible for any damages resulting from user's use
or disregard of the information provided in this Bulletin. To the
extent permitted by law, HP disclaims all warranties, either
express or implied, including the warranties of merchantability
and fitness for a particular purpose, title and non-infringement."


(c)Copyright 2006 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
Hewlett-Packard Company shall not be liable for technical or
editorial errors or omissions contained herein. The information
provided is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. To the
extent permitted by law, neither HP nor its affiliates,
subcontractors or suppliers will be liable for incidental, special
or consequential damages including downtime cost; lost profits;
damages relating to the procurement of substitute products or
services; or damages for loss of data, or software restoration.
The information in this document is subject to change without
notice. Hewlett-Packard Company and the names of Hewlett-Packard
products referenced herein are trademarks of Hewlett-Packard
Company in the United States and other countries. Other product
and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their
respective owners.

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