Sun Microsystems Solaris NSPR Library Arbitrary File Creation Vulnerability iDefense Security Advisory 10.11.06 http://www.idefense.com/intelligence/vulnerabilities/ Oct 11, 2006 I. BACKGROUND The Netscape Portable Runtime (NSPR) API allows compliant applications to use system facilities such as threads, thread synchronization, I/O, interval timing, atomic operations and several other low-level services in a platform-independent manner. More information can be found on Mozilla's website at http://www.mozilla.org/projects/nspr/. II. DESCRIPTION Local exploitation of a design error vulnerability in version 4.6.1 of NSPR, as included with Sun Microsystems Solaris 10, allows attackers to create or overwrite arbitrary files on the system. The problem exists because environment variables are used to create log files. Even when the program is setuid, users can specify a log file that will be created with elevated privileges. III. ANALYSIS Exploitation allows local attackers to elevate privileges to root. IV. DETECTION iDefense confirmed that Solaris 10 with NSPR version 4.6.1 is vulnerable to privilege escalation. Additionally, iDefense has also confirmed via the source code that version 4.6.2 does not address the vulnerability. V. WORKAROUND iDefense is currently unaware of any effective workaround for this issue. VI. VENDOR RESPONSE Sun Microsystems has addressed this issue with Sun Security Alert 102658 which can be found at: http://sunsolve.sun.com/search/document.do?assetkey=1-26-102658-1 VII. CVE INFORMATION The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) project has assigned the name CVE-2006-4842 to this issue. This is a candidate for inclusion in the CVE list (http://cve.mitre.org), which standardizes names for security problems. VIII. DISCLOSURE TIMELINE 08/31/2006 Initial vendor notification 09/04/2006 Initial vendor response 10/11/2006 Coordinated public disclosure IX. CREDIT The discoverer of this vulnerability wishes to remain anonymous. Get paid for vulnerability research http://www.idefense.com/methodology/vulnerability/vcp.php Free tools, research and upcoming events http://labs.idefense.com/ X. LEGAL NOTICES Copyright © 2006 iDefense, Inc. Permission is granted for the redistribution of this alert electronically. It may not be edited in any way without the express written consent of iDefense. If you wish to reprint the whole or any part of this alert in any other medium other than electronically, please email customerservice@private for permission. Disclaimer: The information in the advisory is believed to be accurate at the time of publishing based on currently available information. Use of the information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS condition. There are no warranties with regard to this information. Neither the author nor the publisher accepts any liability for any direct, indirect, or consequential loss or damage arising from use of, or reliance on, this information.
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