iPlanet WebServer, remote root compromise

From: labs@NGSEC
Date: Mon Nov 18 2002 - 19:58:26 PST

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                       Next Generation Security Technologies
                              http://www.ngsec.com
                                Security Advisory
    
    
           Title:   iPlanet WebServer, remote root compromise
              ID:   NGSEC-2002-4
     Application:   iPlanet WebServer 4.* up to SP11
            Date:   11/19/2002
          Status:   Vendor contacted on 09/28/2002, (Sun Microsystems).
     Platform(s):   Unix & Windows OSs.
          Author:   Fermín J. Serna <fjsernaat_private>
        Location:   http://www.ngsec.com/docs/advisories/NGSEC-2002-4.txt
    
    
    Overview:
    - ----------
    
    Under certain circumstances an attacker can execute commands (usually
    as root), using the combination of two security vulnerabilities on
    iPlanet Web Server 4.* up to SP11 (NG-XSS).
    
    These two vulnerabilities are:
    
      - Insecure open()s at Admin Server PERL scripts
      - Cross Site Scripting
    
    The only need will be, through social skills, to have the Administrator
    review the logs within iPlanet Admin Server.
    
    This vulnerability can not be exploited on a 6.* version because XSS
    was silently fixed in these releases.
    
    Find a detailed vulnerability analysis of NG-XSS on iPlanet WebServers
    in our WhitePaper "iPlanet NG-XSS Vulnerability Analysis" at:
    
           http://www.ngsec.com/ngresearch/ngwhitepapers/
    
    
    Technical description:
    - -----------------------
    
    If we consider each vulnerability alone, we have no chance to execute
    commands at the iPlanet Web Server since XSS payload is Browser Hijacking
    and the vulnerable PERL script is protected by an authentication schema.
    
    iPlanet Web Server suffers from a XSS vulnerability when the Administrator
    reviews the error logs through iPlanet Admin Server. XSS triggers once
    the Administrator has successfully logged on the Admin Server.
    
    The trick is not to exploit the open() PERL vulnerability directly, but
    use instead the XSS to redirect the Administrator's browser to the URL
    that will cause the open() command injection.
    Since he is already authenticated, we bypass the authentication schema.
    
    We will use the following Javascript code:
    
    <script>
    window.location="/https-admserv/bin/perl/importInfo?dir=|<command>%00";
    </script>
    
    
    Proof of vulnerability:
    - ------------------------
    
    Find an exploit for this vulnerability at:
    
           http://www.ngsec.com/ngresearch/ngadvisories/
    
    There is a case study exploitation (sending the attacker an xterm) with
    some screenshots, in the aboved mentioned WhitePaper.
    
    
    Recommendations:
    - -----------------
    Avoid iPlanet's Admin Server usage, until Sun releases a patch for
    these vulnerabilities. Alternatively upgrade to iPlanet v.6.*
    
    This vulnerability could not have been exploited on a NGSecureWeb(r)
    protected iPlanet Web Server.
    
    Find more information on NGSecureWeb features at:
    
          http://www.ngsec.com/ngproducts/ngsw/
    
    - --
    More security advisories at: http://www.ngsec.com/ngresearch/ngadvisories/
    PGP Key: http://www.ngsec.com/pgp/labs.asc
    
    Copyright(c) 2002 NGSEC. All rights reserved.
    
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