-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- ISS Security Advisory December 1, 1999 Buffer Overflow in Netscape Enterprise and FastTrack Authentication Procedure Synopsis: Netscape Enterprise Server and Netscape FastTrack Server are widely used Internet web servers. Internet Security Systems (ISS) X-Force has discovered a vulnerability in Netscape Enterprise Server and Netscape FastTrack Server, as well as in the Administration Server supplied with both. There is a buffer overflow in the HTTP Basic Authentication that can be used to execute code on the machine as SYSTEM in Windows NT or as root or nobody in Unix, without requiring authentication. The Administration Service runs as root in Unix, the Application Server runs as the user 'nobody' by default. Affected Versions: This vulnerability affects all supported platforms of Enterprise and FastTrack web servers. Enterprise 3.5.1 through 3.6sp2 and FastTrack 3.01 were found to be vulnerable. Earlier versions may be vulnerable but were not tested by ISS X-Force. Description: The buffer overflow is present in the HTTP Basic Authentication portion of the server. When accessing a password protected portion of the Administration or Web server, a username or password that is longer than 508 characters will cause the server to crash with an access violation error. An attacker could utilize the Base64 encoded Authorization string to execute arbitrary code as SYSTEM on Windows NT, or as root on Unix. Attackers can use these privileges to gain full access to the server. Recommendations: Affected users should upgrade their systems immediately. This vulnerability affects systems running Administration Server with password protected areas that rely on Basic Authentication. If you run any of the affected servers on any platform, upgrade to iPlanet Web Server 4.0sp2 at: http://www.iplanet.com/downloads/testdrive/detail_161_243.html. Netscape has stated that FastTrack will not be patched. Although Netscape released service pack 3 for Enterprise Server 3.6 that fixes the vulnerability in the web server, the Administration Server remains vulnerable. If you are unable to upgrade, ISS X-Force recommends that you block the Administration Server port at the firewall to prevent outside attacks. ISS X-Force recommends verifying the existence of this vulnerability through the upcoming release of Internet Scanner v.6.0.1 which will be available for customer download from the ISS website. Credits: Information in this advisory was obtained by the research of Caleb Sima of the ISS X-Force. Additional research and information was provided by Justine Bone and Jon Larimer of the ISS X-Force. ISS X-Force would like to thank Netscape Communications Corporation for their response and handling of this vulnerability. About ISS ISS is a leading global provider of security management solutions for e-business. By offering best-of-breed SAFEsuite(tm) security software, comprehensive ePatrol(tm) monitoring services and industry-leading expertise, ISS serves as its customers' trusted security provider protecting digital assets and ensuring the availability, confidentiality and integrity of computer systems and information critical to e-business success. ISS' security management solutions protect more than 5,000 customers including 21 of the 25 largest U.S. commercial banks, 9 of the 10 largest telecommunications companies and over 35 government agencies. Founded in 1994, ISS is headquartered in Atlanta, GA, with additional offices throughout North America and international operations in Asia, Australia, Europe and Latin America. For more information, visit the ISS Web site at www.iss.net or call 800-776-2362. Copyright (c) 1999 by Internet Security Systems, Inc. Permission is hereby granted for the redistribution of this Alert electronically. It is not to be edited in any way without express consent of the X-Force. If you wish to reprint the whole or any part of this Alert in any other medium excluding electronic medium, please e-mail xforceat_private for permission. Disclaimer The information within this paper may change without notice. Use of this information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS condition. There are NO warranties with regard to this information. In no event shall the author be liable for any damages whatsoever arising out of or in connection with the use or spread of this information. Any use of this information is at the user's own risk. X-Force PGP Key available at: http://xforce.iss.net/sensitive.php3 as well as on MIT's PGP key server and PGP.com's key server. Please send suggestions, updates, and comments to: X-Force xforceat_private of Internet Security Systems, Inc. -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: 2.6.3a Charset: noconv iQCVAwUBOEWatzRfJiV99eG9AQEbOQP7BZdxXp6YjH6WEJ6Uq/DxNwQDk4DPTY7M tNQHbNPLeYGLjd2L5bNJdi457rHF2Kein9odgCfwkeiMAJf1PrepYLSc3YsQEZAW DTjT6XRGFcasJT068laNhaGNJ+5VIhxXF8h+0Y0sL3NWx1JbrliaqgeidVdG13vw pZjxFvozV9w= =2ysL -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----
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