CA-92.07
Published: 1992-03-31 00:00:00
Updated: 1992-03-31 00:00:00
Topic: AIX /bin/passwd
Vulnerability
The Computer Emergency Response Team/Coordination Center (CERT/CC) has received
information concerning a vulnerability with the passwd command in AIX 3.2 and the 2007 update of
AIX 3.1.
IBM is aware of this problem, and a fix is available as apar number "ix23505". Patches are
available for AIX 3.2 and the 2007 update of AIX 3.1.
This fix may be ordered from Level 2 support or by anonymous ftp from software.watson.ibm.com
(129.34.139.5) on the Internet.
1.To order from IBM call 1-800-237-5511 and ask that the fix be shipped. Patches may be
obtained outside the U.S. by contacting your local IBM representative.
2.If you are on the Internet, use anonymous ftp to obtain the fix from
software.watson.ibm.com.
Patch Filename Checksum
AIX 3.2 pub/aix3/pas.32.tar.Z 54431 2262
AIX 3.1 2007 pub/aix3/pas.31.tar.Z 06703 99
Patches should be retrieved using binary mode.
IBM is currently incorporating the fix into the 3.2 version and 3.1 updates of AIX. Future shipments
of these products should not be vulnerable to this problem. If you have any questions about
products you receive, please contact your IBM representative.
I. Description
The passwd command contains a security vulnerability.
II. Impact
Local users can gain unauthorized root access.
III. Solution
A. As root, disable /bin/passwd until you obtain and install the patch.
# chmod 0500 /bin/passwd
B. Obtain the fix from IBM and install according to the directions provided with
the patch.
The CERT/CC would like to thank Paul Selick of the University of Toronto for bringing this security
vulnerability to our attention. We would also like to thank IBM for their quick response to this
problem, and for making the patches available via anonymous ftp.
If you believe that your system has been compromised, contact the CERT Coordination Center or
your representative in the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (see
http://www.first.org/team-info/)
CERT/CC Contact Information
Email cert@cert.org
Phone +1 412-268-7090 (24-hour hotline)
CERT personnel answer 8:30-5:00 p.m. EST(GMT-5) / EDT(GMT-4) and are on call for
emergencies during other hours.
Fax +1 412-268-6989
Postal address:
CERT Coordination Center
Software Engineering Institute
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh PA 15213-3890
USA
Using encryption
We strongly urge you to encrypt sensitive information sent by email. We can support a shared
DES key or PGP. Contact the CERT/CC for more information.
Location of CERT PGP key
ftp://ftp.cert.org/pub/CERT_PGP.key
Getting security information
CERT publications and other security information are available from
http://www.cert.org/
ftp://ftp.cert.org/pub/
CERT advisories and bulletins are also posted on the USENET newsgroup
comp.security.announce
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Revision History:
September 19,1997 Attached copyright statement
