IBM AIX libodm ODMPATH Stack Overflow Vulnerability iDefense Security Advisory 07.09.07 http://labs.idefense.com/intelligence/vulnerabilities/ Jul 09, 2007 I. BACKGROUND AIX applications use libodm to access system settings and device configuration data stored in the Object Database Manager. The Manager is responsible for accessing and updating such things as currently installed software packages and devices. Many of the applications that use libodm are installed set-uid root. II. DESCRIPTION Local exploitation of a buffer overflow vulnerability in IBM Corp.'s AIX libodm library could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code on a targeted host. The vulnerability exists in the processing of the ODMPATH environment variable within the odm_searchpath() function. This function reads the ODMPATH variable from the user provided environment, and then copies it into a fixed sized stack buffer without properly validating its length. This results in a stack-based buffer overflow, and allows the saved return address to be overwritten. III. ANALYSIS Exploitation allows an attacker to execute code with root privileges. Since this is a local attack, an attacker has complete control over the process environment and can reliably place shellcode at known addresses. This makes exploitation of this vulnerability trivial. IV. DETECTION iDefense has confirmed the existence of this vulnerability in AIX version 5.3 SP 4. Previous versions may be vulnerable. V. WORKAROUND iDefense is currently unaware of any workarounds for this issue. VI. VENDOR RESPONSE IBM Corp. has addressed this vulnerability with interim fixes. More information is available at the following URL. http://www-1.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=isg1IY97632 VII. CVE INFORMATION A Mitre Corp. Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) number has not been assigned yet. VIII. DISCLOSURE TIMELINE 04/02/2007 Initial vendor notification 04/05/2007 Initial vendor response 07/09/2007 Coordinated public disclosure IX. CREDIT The discoverer of this vulnerability wishes to remain anonymous. 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.
