Apache Mod_Auth_Any Remote Command Execution Vulnerability
Risk
High
Date Discovered
04-28-2003
Description
A vulnerability has been discovered in the mod_auth_any Apache module. The problem occurs due to insufficient sanitiziation of user-supplied arguments. As a result, it may be possible for an attacker to execute arbitrary commands, by placing shell metacharacters within an argument.
All commands executed in this manner would be run with the privileges the Apache HTTPD server.
Platforms Affected
RedHat Enterprise Linux AS 2.1
RedHat Enterprise Linux ES 2.1
RedHat Enterprise Linux WS 2.1
RedHat Linux 7.2
RedHat Linux 7.2 athlon
RedHat Linux 7.2 i386
RedHat Linux 7.2 i586
RedHat Linux 7.2 i686
RedHat Linux 7.2 ia64
RedHat Linux 7.3
RedHat Linux 7.3 i386
RedHat Linux 7.3 i686
RedHat Linux Advanced Work Station 2.1
Components Affected
mod_auth_any mod_auth_any 1.2.2
Recommendations
Block external access at the network boundary, unless service is required by external parties.
Restrict remote access to the Apache server from all but trusted hosts. This may limit attempts to exploit this and other latent vulnerabilities.
Deploy network intrusion detection systems to monitor network traffic for malicious activity.
Malicious network activity may be indicated by network-based intrusion detection systems. Audit IDS and web server logs regularly to identify potential attacks.
Run all server processes as non-privileged users with minimal access rights.
Where possible, run the Apache server with privilege separation enabled. This may limit the consequences of an attacker exploiting this condition to execute arbitrary code.
Red Hat has released a security advisory (RHSA-2003:114-09) containing fixes which address this issue. Further information on how to obtain and apply fixes can be found in the attached advisory.
mod_auth_any mod_auth_any 1.2.2:
mod_auth_any Upgrade mod_auth_any-1.2.2-2.i386.rpm
ftp://updates.redhat.com/7.3/en/os/i386/mod_auth_any-1.2.2-2.i386.rpm
mod_auth_any Upgrade mod_auth_any-1.2.2-2.ia64.rpm
ftp://updates.redhat.com/7.2/en/os/ia64/mod_auth_any-1.2.2-2.ia64.rpm
mod_auth_any Upgrade mod_auth_any-1.2.2-2.i386.rpm
ftp://updates.redhat.com/7.2/en/os/i386/mod_auth_any-1.2.2-2.i386.rpm
References
Source: RedHat RHSA-2003:113-01 Updated mod_auth_any packages available
URL: http://online.securityfocus.com/advisories/5352
Source: mod_auth_any Homepage
URL: http://www.itlab.musc.edu/webNIS/mod_auth_any.html
Source: RHSA-2003-114
URL: http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2003-114.html
Credits
The discovery of this vulnerability has been credited to Daniel Jarboe and Maneesh Sahani.
Copyright (c) 2003 by Symantec Corp.
Permission to redistribute this alert electronically is granted as long as it is not edited in any way unless authorized by Symantec Security Response. Reprinting the whole or part of this alert in any medium other than electronically requires permission from symsecurity@symantec.com.
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.
Symantec, Symantec products, Symantec Security Response, and SymSecurity are registered trademarks of Symantec Corp. and/or affiliated companies in the United States and other countries. All other registered and unregistered trademarks represented in this document are the sole property of their respective companies/owners.
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