Sun ONE (iPlanet) Web Server search buffer overflow allows arbitrary code

Risk
High

Date Discovered
07-09-2002

Description
A buffer overflow vulnerability in the Sun ONE (iPlanet) Web Server may allow a remote attacker to run arbitrary code.

Sun ONE Web Server is a software product for developers who build dynamic Web applications for e-commerce sites. The iPlanet Web Server, which is owned and maintained by Sun Microsystems, has been rolled into the Sun product line as the Sun ONE Web Server.

The search capability in iPlanet Web Server is vulnerable to a remotely exploitable stack overflow. By supplying an overly long value for the NS-rel-doc-name parameter, which results in a saved return address being overwritten on the stack, a remote attacker gains control over the vulnerable process. Any code supplied by the attacker will run in the security context of the account running the Web Server. On Windows NT/2000 this account is the local SYSTEM account which, by default, allows any code to run uninhibited.

Platforms Affected
Multiple

Components Affected
Sun Microsystems Sun ONE Web Server (iPlanet) 4.1
Sun Microsystems Sun ONE Web Server (iPlanet) 6.0

Recommendations

Sun One (iPlanet) Web Server 4.1
Upgrade: Sun One (iPlanet) Web Server Service Pack

Sun One (iPlanet) Web Server 6.0
Upgrade: Sun One (iPlanet) Web Server Service Pack

The iPlanet Web Server has been rolled into the Sun product line as the Sun ONE Web Server. Upgrade to the latest iPlanet (Sun ONE) Web Server Service Pack to eliminate this and other vulnerabilities found in earlier versions.

For iPlanet Web Server 4.1 (Sun ONE 4.1), install Service Pack 10:
http://wwws.sun.com/software/download/download/5261.html

For iPlanet Web Server 6.0 (Sun ONE 6.0), install Service Pack 3:
http://wwws.sun.com/software/download/download/5262.html

References
Source: Security Focus.com NISR09072002
URL: http://online.securityfocus.com/archive/1/281199/2002-07-07/2002-07-13/2

Source: Security Focus.com 4851
URL: http://online.securityfocus.com/bid/4851

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