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DDN Security Bulletin 9111 DCA DDN Defense Communications System
15 Aug 91 Published by: DDN Security Coordination Center
(
[email protected]) (800) 235-3155
DEFENSE DATA NETWORK
SECURITY BULLETIN
The DDN SECURITY BULLETIN is distributed by the DDN SCC (Security
Coordination Center) under DCA contract as a means of communicating
information on network and host security exposures, fixes, & concerns
to security & management personnel at DDN facilities. Back issues may
be obtained via FTP (or Kermit) from NIC.DDN.MIL [192.67.67.20]
using login="anonymous" and password="guest". The bulletin pathname is
SCC:DDN-SECURITY-yynn (where "yy" is the year the bulletin is issued
and "nn" is a bulletin number, e.g. SCC:DDN-SECURITY-9001).
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ULTRIX LAT/Telnet Gateway Vulnerability
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! !
! The following important advisory was issued by the Computer !
! Emergency Response Team (CERT) and is being relayed unedited !
! via the Defense Communications Agency's Security Coordination !
! Center distribution system as a means of providing DDN !
! subscribers with useful security information. !
! !
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CA-91:11 CERT Advisory
August 14, 1991
ULTRIX LAT/Telnet Gateway Vulnerability
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The Computer Emergency Response Team/Coordination Center (CERT/CC) has
received information concerning a vulnerability in LAT/Telnet gateway
software in Digital Equipment Corporation's (DEC) ULTRIX versions 4.1
and 4.2 on all architectures. Information regarding the exploitation
of this vulnerability has been publicly disclosed so we recommend
taking immediate action. Until you are able to apply the patch we
recommend that sites disable the LAT/telnet service.
DEC has made a patch available which consists of new /usr/ucb/telnet
binaries.
The patch is available through DEC's Customer Support Centers. Sites
within the USA should call 1-800-525-7100. Sites in Europe and elsewhere
should contact DEC through their normal channels.
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I. DESCRIPTION:
A vulnerability exists such that ULTRIX 4.1 and 4.2 systems
running the LAT/Telnet gateway software can allow unauthorized
privileged access. Although you may not be running the LAT/Telnet
service at this time, the CERT/CC urges all sites to install
the patch. This will ease any future installation of the
gateway software.
The LAT/Telnet software requires special installation and is
NOT part of the default ULTRIX configuration.
II. IMPACT:
Anyone who can access a terminal or modem connected to
the LAT server running the LAT/Telnet service can gain
unauthorized root privileges.
III. SOLUTION:
Obtain the appropriate version of the patch kit for your
system architecture from your DEC Customer Support Center,
and install according to the accompanying instructions.
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The CERT/CC would like to thank George Michaelson of The Prentice Centre,
University of Queensland, Australia and John Annen of Davidson College for
bringing this to our attention. We would also like to thank DEC for their
response to this vulnerability and CIAC for their assistance.
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If you believe that your system has been compromised, contact CERT/CC via
telephone or e-mail.
Computer Emergency Response Team/Coordination Center (CERT/CC)
Software Engineering Institute
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890
Internet E-mail:
[email protected]
Telephone: 412-268-7090 24-hour hotline:
CERT/CC personnel answer 7:30a.m.-6:00p.m. EST,
on call for emergencies during other hours.
Past advisories and other computer security related information are available
for anonymous ftp from the cert.sei.cmu.edu (192.88.209.5) system.
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