Hewlett Packard HP-UX Remote pfs_mountd.rpc Buffer Overflow Vulnerability iDefense Security Advisory 04.12.07 http://labs.idefense.com/intelligence/vulnerabilities/ Apr 12, 2007 I. BACKGROUND PFS (the Portable File System) allows mounting of ISO 9660, High Sierra, and Rock Ridge (ISO 9660 with Rock Ridge extensions) CD-ROM disks. The daemon pfs_mountd.rpc is an RPC extension that is launched along with pfsd in order to allow the easy mounting of these file systems under HP-UX. It is remotely accessible over TCP and UDP. II. DESCRIPTION Remote exploitation of a buffer overflow vulnerability in pfs_mountd.rpc included in multiple versions of Hewlett Packard Co. HP-UX allows for remote root access. If a remote user sends two specially crafted packets over UDP, the buffer overflow is triggered. One must first send a call to procedure 5, and soon thereafter send the actual payload to procedure 2. Due to the closed nature of the pfs_mountd.rpc protocol specification, it is unclear at this time what functions the respective procedures actually perform. III. ANALYSIS The seriousness of this vulnerability is reduced by the fact that in most cases an attacker will only have one chance at exploitation until an administrator restarts the crashed daemon after a failed attempt. However, the attack is functional over UDP, thus allowing an attacker to completely spoof the attack, possibly even making it appear from inside a trusted network. IV. DETECTION iDefense has confirmed the existence of this vulnerability in HP-UX 11.11i. It is suspected that previous versions are also vulnerable. V. WORKAROUND Adding firewall rules may not be enough to stop this attack due to the fact that it can be spoofed. VI. VENDOR RESPONSE Hewlett-Packard discontinued support for the PFS on March 1st, 2004. As a solution to this vulnerability, Hewlett-Packard recommends discontinuing the use of PFS. More information is available from HP Security Bulletin HPSBUX02203 at the following URL. http://www1.itrc.hp.com/service/cki/docDisplay.do?docId=c00913684 VII. CVE INFORMATION A Mitre Corp. Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) number has not been assigned yet. VIII. DISCLOSURE TIMELINE 10/25/2004 Initial vendor notification 10/25/2004 Initial vendor response 12/19/2005 Second vendor notification 01/30/2007 Third vendor notification 04/12/2007 Coordinated public disclosure IX. CREDIT This vulnerability was discovered by iDefense Labs. Get paid for vulnerability research http://labs.idefense.com/methodology/vulnerability/vcp.php Free tools, research and upcoming events http://labs.idefense.com/ X. LEGAL NOTICES Copyright © 2007 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 e-mail customerservice@xxxxxxxxxxxx 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.
