IBM AIX LANG Environment Variable Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

BID:3070

Info

IBM AIX LANG Environment Variable Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

Bugtraq ID: 3070
Class: Boundary Condition Error
CVE:
Remote: No
Local: Yes
Published: Jun 28 2001 12:00AM
Updated: Jun 28 2001 12:00AM
Credit: Reported to bugtraq by IBM Managed Security Services in an advisory dated June 28, 2001.
Vulnerable: IBM AIX 4.3
IBM AIX 5.1
Not Vulnerable:

Discussion

IBM AIX LANG Environment Variable Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

Versions of IBM AIX contain a vulnerability which can allow a local root compromise.

A buffer overflow has been found in the handling of the LANG environment variable. Privileged programs using the libi18n library can permit a local user to execute arbitrary code.

By inserting carefully-composed malicious input into the LANG environment variable, it is possible to overwrite stack variables, including the return address of the calling function.

This problem makes it possible for a local user to execute arbitrary code, gaining elevated privileges and potentially root access.

Exploit / POC

IBM AIX LANG Environment Variable Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

Currently the SecurityFocus staff are not aware of any exploits for this issue. If you feel we are in error or are aware of more recent information, please mail us at: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>.

Solution / Fix

IBM AIX LANG Environment Variable Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

Solution:
The following fix for AIX 4.3 has been released by IBM, they note that if Maintenance Level 09 is commited, this fixes the problem. Check:

# instfix -i |grep IY20867
All filesets for IY20867 were found.
#


IBM AIX 5.1

IBM AIX 4.3

References

IBM AIX LANG Environment Variable Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

References:

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