Layered Defense Advisory: Novell Client 4.91 Format String Vulnerability
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Layered Defense Advisory 1 December 2006
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1) Affected Software
Novell Client 4.91 SP2
Novell Client 4.91 SP2 Patch Kit
Novell Client 4.91 SP3
Earlier versions may also be vulnerable
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2) SeverityRating:
Low - Medium risk
Impact: Read arbitrary memory, denial of service.
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3) Description of Vulnerability
A format string vulnerability was discovered within Novell client 4.91 . The
vulnerability is due to improper processing of format strings within NMAS
(Novell Modular Authentication Services) Information message window. An
attacker who enters special crafted format strings in the Username field at the
Novell logon and selects Sequences under the NMAS tab can read data from the
winlogon process stack or read from arbitrary memory, and at a minimum cause a
denial of service.
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4) Solution
Fix: Presently no patch is available.
Work around: Disable NMAS Authentication
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5) Time Table:
07/15/2006 Reported Vulnerability to Vendor.
08/21/2006 Vendor released Novell Client - 4.91 SP2 Patch Kit which made the
vulnerability worse. (This patch made it easier to read arbitrary memory)
09/17/2006 Contacted Vendor about increased risk with SP2 Patch Kit
11/28/2006 Received the following message from Vendor :
At this point in time, development has determined this is a very low priority
and apparently it will be some time before the issue is addressed. I have
reported this to our Security Review Board so development's claim can be
re-examined. As such, you certainly have every right to publish your findings
at this time. The bug will remain open against the product. Hopefully
this can be fixed in the near future
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6) CreditsDiscovered by Deral Heiland, www.LayeredDefense.com
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7) About Layered DefenseLayered Defense, Is a group of security professionals
that work together on ethical Research, Testing and Training within the
information security arena. http://www.layereddefense.com
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