IBM AIX Multiple Unspecified Security Vulnerabilities

Risk
High

Date Discovered
05-14-2003

Description
It has been reported that multiple security issues exist in the print sub-system of IBM AIX. These issues could lead to an attacker gaining unauthorized access to the host, and potentially elevated privileges.

Components Affected
IBM AIX 4.3
IBM AIX 4.3.1
IBM AIX 4.3.2
IBM AIX 4.3.3
IBM AIX 5.1
IBM AIX 5.2

Recommendations
Permit local access for trusted individuals only. Where possible, use restricted environments and restricted shells.
Ensure that only trustworthy individuals are able to connect to print servers. Where possible, provide user accounts with the minimal privileges necessary for functionality as this may hamper attempts of exploitation.

Block external access at the network boundary, unless service is required by external parties.
Provide printing services to trusted hosts and networks only.

Run all server processes as non-privileged users with minimal access rights.
Run all printing services with minimal privileges. This may reduce the consequences of successful exploitation.

The following APARs are available:


IBM AIX 4.3:
IBM AIX 4.3.1:
IBM AIX 4.3.2:
IBM AIX 4.3.3:

IBM APAR IY42089
http://techsupport.services.ibm.com/rs6k/fixdb.html

IBM APAR IY42090
https://techsupport.services.ibm.com/server/aix.fdc

IBM APAR IY42091
https://techsupport.services.ibm.com/server/aix.fdc

References
Source: IBM
URL: http://www.ibm.com/

Credits
The discoverer of these vulnerabilities is currently unknown.

Copyright (c) 2003 by Symantec Corp.
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Disclaimer
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