+---------------------------------------------------------------------+ | LinuxSecurity.com Weekly Newsletter | | September 23rd, 2005 Volume 6, Number 39a | +---------------------------------------------------------------------+ Editors: Dave Wreski Benjamin D. Thomas dave@private ben@private Linux Advisory Watch is a comprehensive newsletter that outlines the security vulnerabilities that have been announced throughout the week. It includes pointers to updated packages and descriptions of each vulnerability. This week, advisories were released for turqstat, centericq, lm-sensors, kdebase, python, XFree86, Mailutils, Shorewall, mozilla, mod_ssl, clam, mod_ssl, Zebedee, umount, squid, and mod_ssl. The distributors include Debian, Fedora, Gentoo, and Red Hat. --- ## Master of Science in Information Security ## Earn your Master of Science in Information Security online from Norwich University. Designated a "Center of Excellence", the program offers a solid education in the management of information assurance, and the unique case study method melds theory into practice. Using today's e-Learning technology, you can earn this esteemed degree, without disrupting your career or home life. LEARN MORE: http://www.msia.norwich.edu/linux_en --- Security Basics In the ever-changing world of global data communications, inexpensive Internet connections, and fast-paced software development, security is becoming more and more of an issue. Security is now a basic requirement because global computing is inherently insecure. As your data goes from point A to point B on the Internet, for example, it may pass through several other points along the way, giving other users the opportunity to intercept, and even alter, your data. Even other users on your system may maliciously transform your data into something you did not intend. Unauthorized access to your system may be obtained by intruders, also known as ``crackers'', who then use advanced knowledge to impersonate you, steal information from you, or even deny you access to your own resources. If you're still wondering what the difference is between a ``Hacker'' and a ``Cracker'', see Eric Raymond's document, ``How to Become A Hacker'', available at: http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/hacker-howto.html How Vulnerable Are We? While it is difficult to determine just how vulnerable a particular system is, there are several indications we can use: * The Computer Emergency Response Team consistently reports an increase in computer vulnerabilities and exploits. * TCP and UDP, the protocols that comprise the Internet, were not written with security as their first priority when it was created more than 30 years ago. * A version of software on one host has the same vulnerabilities as the same version of software on another host. Using this information, an intruder can exploit multiple systems using the same attack method. * Many administrators don't even take simple security measures necessary to protect their site, or don't understand the ramifications of implementing some services. Many administrators are not given the additional time necessary to integrate the necessary security measures. Excerpt from the LinuxSecurity Administrator's Guide: http://www.linuxsecurity.com/docs/SecurityAdminGuide/SecurityAdminGuide.html Written by: Dave Wreski (dave@private) ---------------------- Linux File & Directory Permissions Mistakes One common mistake Linux administrators make is having file and directory permissions that are far too liberal and allow access beyond that which is needed for proper system operations. A full explanation of unix file permissions is beyond the scope of this article, so I'll assume you are familiar with the usage of such tools as chmod, chown, and chgrp. If you'd like a refresher, one is available right here on linuxsecurity.com. http://www.linuxsecurity.com/content/view/119415/49/ --- Buffer Overflow Basics A buffer overflow occurs when a program or process tries to store more data in a temporary data storage area than it was intended to hold. Since buffers are created to contain a finite amount of data, the extra information can overflow into adjacent buffers, corrupting or overwriting the valid data held in them. http://www.linuxsecurity.com/content/view/119087/49/ --- Review: The Book of Postfix: State-of-the-Art Message Transport I was very impressed with "The Book of Postfix" by authors Ralf Hildebrandt and Pattrick Koetter and feel that it is an incredible Postfix reference. It gives a great overall view of the operation and management of Postfix in an extremely systematic and practical format. It flows in a logical manner, is easy to follow and the authors did a great job of explaining topics with attention paid to real world applications and how to avoid many of the associated pitfalls. I am happy to have this reference in my collection. http://www.linuxsecurity.com/content/view/119027/49/ -------- --> Take advantage of the LinuxSecurity.com Quick Reference Card! --> http://www.linuxsecurity.com/docs/QuickRefCard.pdf +---------------------------------+ | Distribution: Debian | ----------------------------// +---------------------------------+ * Debian: New turqstat packages fix buffer overflow 15th, September, 2005 Updated package. http://www.linuxsecurity.com/content/view/120389 * Debian: New centericq packages fix several vulnerabilities 15th, September, 2005 Updated package. http://www.linuxsecurity.com/content/view/120392 * Debian: New lm-sensors packages fix insecure temporary file 15th, September, 2005 Updated package. http://www.linuxsecurity.com/content/view/120395 * Debian: New kdebase packages fix local root vulnerability 16th, September, 2005 Updated package. http://www.linuxsecurity.com/content/view/120399 * Debian: New python2.2 packages fix arbitrary code execution 22nd, September, 2005 Updated package. http://www.linuxsecurity.com/content/view/120425 * Debian: New XFree86 packages fix arbitrary code execution 22nd, September, 2005 Updated package. http://www.linuxsecurity.com/content/view/120426 +---------------------------------+ | Distribution: Fedora | ----------------------------// +---------------------------------+ * Fedora Core 4 Update: dia-0.94-12.fc4 16th, September, 2005 Updated package. http://www.linuxsecurity.com/content/view/120400 * Fedora Core 4 Update: qt-3.3.4-15.4 16th, September, 2005 Updated package. http://www.linuxsecurity.com/content/view/120401 +---------------------------------+ | Distribution: Gentoo | ----------------------------// +---------------------------------+ * Gentoo: Py2Play Remote execution of arbitrary Python 17th, September, 2005 A design error in Py2Play allows attackers to execute arbitrary code. http://www.linuxsecurity.com/content/view/120402 * Gentoo: Mailutils Format string vulnerability in imap4d 17th, September, 2005 The imap4d server contains a vulnerability allowing an authenticated user to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the imap4d process. http://www.linuxsecurity.com/content/view/120403 * Gentoo: Shorewall Security policy bypass 17th, September, 2005 A vulnerability in Shorewall allows clients authenticated by MAC address filtering to bypass all other security rules. http://www.linuxsecurity.com/content/view/120404 * Gentoo: Mozilla Suite, Mozilla Firefox Buffer overflow 18th, September, 2005 Mozilla Suite and Firefox are vulnerable to a buffer overflow that might be exploited to execute arbitrary code. http://www.linuxsecurity.com/content/view/120405 * Gentoo: Apache, mod_ssl Multiple vulnerabilities 19th, September, 2005 mod_ssl and Apache are vulnerable to a restriction bypass and a potential local privilege escalation. http://www.linuxsecurity.com/content/view/120408 * Gentoo: Clam AntiVirus Multiple vulnerabilities 19th, September, 2005 Clam AntiVirus is subject to vulnerabilities ranging from Denial of Service to execution of arbitrary code when handling compressed executables. http://www.linuxsecurity.com/content/view/120409 * Gentoo: Apache, mod_ssl Multiple vulnerabilities 19th, September, 2005 mod_ssl and Apache are vulnerable to a restriction bypass and a potential local privilege escalation. http://www.linuxsecurity.com/content/view/120411 * Gentoo: Shorewall Security policy bypass 19th, September, 2005 A vulnerability in Shorewall allows clients authenticated by MAC address filtering to bypass all other security rules. http://www.linuxsecurity.com/content/view/120412 * Gentoo: Zebedee Denial of Service vulnerability 20th, September, 2005 A bug in Zebedee allows a remote attacker to perform a Denial of Service attack. http://www.linuxsecurity.com/content/view/120417 * Gentoo: util-linux umount command validation error 20th, September, 2005 A command validation error in umount can lead to an escalation of privileges. http://www.linuxsecurity.com/content/view/120418 +---------------------------------+ | Distribution: Red Hat | ----------------------------// +---------------------------------+ * RedHat: Important: XFree86 security update 15th, September, 2005 This update has been rated as having important security impact by the Red Hat Security Response Team. http://www.linuxsecurity.com/content/view/120390 * RedHat: Important: squid security update 15th, September, 2005 An updated Squid package that fixes security issues is now available. This update has been rated as having important security impact by the Red Hat Security Response Team. http://www.linuxsecurity.com/content/view/120391 * RedHat: Important: mod_ssl security update 15th, September, 2005 An updated mod_ssl package for Apache that corrects a security issue is now available. This update has been rated as having important security impact by the Red Hat Security Response Team. http://www.linuxsecurity.com/content/view/120396 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Distributed by: Guardian Digital, Inc. LinuxSecurity.com To unsubscribe email vuln-newsletter-request@private with "unsubscribe" in the subject of the message. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ _________________________________________ InfoSec News v2.0 - Coming Soon! http://www.infosecnews.org
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