rpc.rwalld contains remotely exploitable format string vulnerability

Overview

rpc.rwalld is a utility that is used to send a message to all terminals of a time sharing system. A format string vulnerability may permit a remote user to execute code with the privileges of the rwall daemon.

Description

rpc.rwalld is a utility that listens for remote wall requests. Wall is used to send a message to all terminals of a time sharing system. If the _wall _command cannot be executed, the rwall daemon will display an error message. A format string vulnerability exists in the code that displays the error message. An intruder may be able to consume system resources and prevent wall from executing. This would trigger the rwall daemon’s error message, which could permit the intruder to execute code with the privileges of the rwall daemon.

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Impact

An intruder may be able to execute code with the privileges of the rwall daemon, typically root.

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Solution

Apply patches from your vendor.

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If no patches are available, disable the rwall daemon. If this is not an option, implement a firewall to limit access to rpc.rwalld (typically port 32777/UDP) as well as the rpc port mapper (typically port 111/TCP/UDP). Note that this will not mitigate all vectors of attack.

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Vendor Information

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Sun __ Affected

Notified: April 12, 2002 Updated: May 01, 2002

Status

Affected

Vendor Statement

Sun confirms that there is a format string vulnerability in rpc.rwalld(1M) which affects Solaris 2.5.1, 2.6, 7 and 8. However, this issue relies on a combination of events, including the exhaustion of system resources, which are difficult to control by a remote user in order to be exploited. Disabling rpc.rwalld(1M) in inetd.conf(4) is the recommended workaround until patches are available.

Sun is currently generating patches for this issue and will be releasing a Sun Security Bulletin once the patches are available. The bulletin will be available from:

<http://sunsolve.sun.com/security&gt;

Sun patches are available from:

<http://sunsolve.sun.com/securitypatch&gt;

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

rpc.rwalld is installed by default on Solaris 6, 7, and 8.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us [email](<mailto:[email protected]?Subject=VU%23638099 Feedback>).

Apple __ Not Affected

Notified: April 15, 2002 Updated: May 02, 2002

Status

Not Affected

Vendor Statement

Mac OS X does not contain rwall, and is not susceptible to the vulnerability described.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us [email](<mailto:[email protected]?Subject=VU%23638099 Feedback>).

BSDI __ Not Affected

Notified: April 15, 2002 Updated: April 15, 2002

Status

Not Affected

Vendor Statement

BSD/OS does not include an affected daemon in any version.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us [email](<mailto:[email protected]?Subject=VU%23638099 Feedback>).

Compaq Computer Corporation __ Not Affected

Notified: April 15, 2002 Updated: April 15, 2002

Status

Not Affected

Vendor Statement

Compaq Tru64 is NOT vulnerable to this reported problem.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us [email](<mailto:[email protected]?Subject=VU%23638099 Feedback>).

Cray __ Not Affected

Notified: April 15, 2002 Updated: April 15, 2002

Status

Not Affected

Vendor Statement

Cray, Inc. is not vulnerable since the affected code is not included in the rwalld implementation used in Unicos and Unicos/mk.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us [email](<mailto:[email protected]?Subject=VU%23638099 Feedback>).

FreeBSD __ Not Affected

Notified: April 15, 2002 Updated: April 17, 2002

Status

Not Affected

Vendor Statement

FreeBSD is not vulnerable to this problem.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us [email](<mailto:[email protected]?Subject=VU%23638099 Feedback>).

Hewlett Packard __ Not Affected

Notified: April 15, 2002 Updated: May 01, 2002

Status

Not Affected

Vendor Statement

HP is not vulnerable.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us [email](<mailto:[email protected]?Subject=VU%23638099 Feedback>).

IBM __ Not Affected

Notified: April 15, 2002 Updated: April 15, 2002

Status

Not Affected

Vendor Statement

IBM’s AIX operating system, versions 4.3.x and 5.1L, is not susceptible to the vulnerability described.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us [email](<mailto:[email protected]?Subject=VU%23638099 Feedback>).

NETBSD __ Not Affected

Notified: April 15, 2002 Updated: May 01, 2002

Status

Not Affected

Vendor Statement

NetBSD has never been vulnerable to this problem.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us [email](<mailto:[email protected]?Subject=VU%23638099 Feedback>).

OpenBSD Not Affected

Notified: April 15, 2002 Updated: April 15, 2002

Status

Not Affected

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us [email](<mailto:[email protected]?Subject=VU%23638099 Feedback>).

SGI Not Affected

Notified: April 15, 2002 Updated: April 15, 2002

Status

Not Affected

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us [email](<mailto:[email protected]?Subject=VU%23638099 Feedback>).

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CVSS Metrics

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References

<http://www.bugtraq.org/advisories/GOBBLES-32.txt&gt;

Acknowledgements

This vulnerability was discovered and reported by GOBBLES.

This document was written by Jason Rafail.

Other Information

CVE IDs:	CVE-2002-0573
CERT Advisory:	CA-2002-10 Severity Metric: