Subject: CERT Advisory CA-96.13 - Alien/OS Vulnerability
From: CERT Bulletin
Newsgroups: comp.security.announce, rec.humor
Message-ID: 4rshfm$cfe@brando.ece.utexas.edu
Date: 8 Jul 1996 21:51:34 -0500
CERT(sm) Advisory CA-96.13
July 4, 1996
Topic: ID4 virus, Alien/OS Vulnerability
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The CERT Coordination Center has received reports of weaknesses in Alien/OS
that can allow species with primitive information sciences technology to
initiate denial-of-service attacks against MotherShip(tm) hosts. One report
of exploitation of this bug has been received.
When attempting takeover of planets inhabited by such races, a trojan horse
attack is possible that permits local access to the MotherShip host,
enabling the implantation of executable code with full root access to
mission-critical security features of the operating system.
The vulnerability exists in versions of EvilAliens' Alien/OS 34762.12.1 or
later, and all versions of Microsoft's Windows/95. CERT advises against
initiating further planet takeover actions until patches are available from
these vendors. If planet takeover is absolutely necessary, CERT advises that
affected sites apply the workarounds as specified below.
As we receive additional information relating to this advisory, we will
place it in
ftp://info.cert.org/pub/cert_advisories/CA-96.13.README
We encourage you to check our README files regularly for updates on
advisories that relate to your site.
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I. Description
Alien/OS contains a security vulnerability, which strangely enough can be
exploited by a primitive race running Windows/95. Although Alien/OS has been
extensively field tested over millions of years by EvilAliens, Inc., the bug
was only recently discovered during a routine invasion of a backwater
planet. EvilAliens notes that the operating system had never before been
tested against a race with "such a kick-ass president."
The vulnerability allows the insertion of executable code with root access
to key security features of the operating system. In particular, such code
can disable the NiftyGreenShield (tm) subsystem, allowing child processes to
be terminated by unauthorized users.
Additionally, Alien/OS networking protocols can provide a low-bandwidth
covert timing channel to a determined attacker.
II. Impact
Non-privileged primitive users can cause the total destruction of your
entire invasion fleet and gain unauthorized access to files.
III. Solution
EvilAliens has supplied a workaround and a patch, as follows:
A. Workaround
To prevent unauthorized insertion of executables, install a firewall to
selectively vaporize incoming packets that do not contain valid aliens.
Also, disable the "Java" option in Netscape.
To eliminate the covert timing channel, remove untrusted hosts from
routing tables. As tempting as it is, do not use target species' own
satellites against them.
B. Patch
As root, install the "evil" package from the distribution tape.
(Optionally) save a copy of the existing /usr/bin/sendmail and modify
its permission to prevent misuse.
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The CERT Coordination Center thanks Jeff Goldblum and Fjkxdtssss for
providing information for this advisory.
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If you believe that your system has been compromised, contact the CERT
Coordination Center or your representative in the Forum of Incident Response
and Security Teams (FIRST).
We strongly urge you to encrypt any sensitive information you send by email.
The CERT Coordination Center can support a shared DES key and PGP. Contact
the CERT staff for more information.
Location of CERT PGP key
ftp://info.cert.org/pub/CERT_PGP.key
CERT Contact Information
------------------------
Email cert@cert.org
Phone +1 412-268-7090 (24-hour hotline)
CERT personnel answer 8:30-5:00 p.m. EST
(GMT-5)/EDT(GMT-4), and are on call for
emergencies during other hours.
Fax +1 412-268-6989
Postal address
CERT Coordination Center
Software Engineering Institute
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh PA 15213-3890
USA
CERT publications, information about FIRST representatives, and other
security-related information are available for anonymous FTP from
http://www.cert.org/
ftp://info.cert.org/pub/
CERT advisories and bulletins are also posted on the USENET newsgroup
comp.security.announce
To be added to our mailing list for CERT advisories and bulletins, send
your email address to
cert-advisory-request@cert.org
Copyright 1996 Carnegie Mellon University
This material may be reproduced and distributed without permission provided
it is used for noncommercial purposes and the copyright statement is
included.
CERT is a service mark of Carnegie Mellon University.
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Auswege: Humor im Internet, meine Homepage.
Links: Humor on the Internet, my homepage.
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Thomas Bätzler, Herrenstr. 62, 76133 Karlsruhe, bath0011@fh-karlsruhe.de
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