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EGI CSIRT:Alerts/libuser-2015-07-24

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EGI ADVISORY [EGI-ADV-20150724] 

Title:       **Update** EGI SVG Advisory 'Critical' risk libuser local root exploit CVE-2015-3245, 
CVE-2015-3246 for RedHat and derivatives.

Date:        2015-07-24
Updated:     2015-07-30, 2015-08-06

URL:         https://wiki.egi.eu/wiki/EGI_CSIRT:Alerts/libuser-2015-07-24  

Introduction
============

A vulnerability has been announced by RedHat concerning libuser [R 1], CVE-2015-3245,  CVE-2015-3246
 which allows local root exploit. Exploits which have been shown to work very easily are publicly available.

This vulnerability is present in the case of access via a local user account and its password. 
Fortunately much of the access to the EGI infrastructure is NOT via this method; so much of the EGI 
infrastructure is not likely to be affected. 

However, if access via login with a local user and password is enabled, then sites should act quickly 
to update.  One scenario in EGI where access is likely to be via this method is where  
User Interfaces (UIs) are made available with a local passwd file. 

**Update 2015-07-30**

As question on the target of the advisory were raised, sites are reminded that this advisory applies
 to all system with libuser installed and thus that they are expected to update to a non-vulnerable version.
However, as for any vulnerability, sites can apply temporary mitigation (see the recommendations) if
 an update is not an option.

**Update 2015-08-06**

A patch for SL6 is now available.


Details
=======

More details are available at [R 1], [R 2] 

It is fairly common that people use the old-fashioned "simply rsync the passwd and shadow files" 
method to distribute account information, and a likely attacker is somebody who has managed to steal 
a password with a keyboard sniffer. 

Risk category
=============

This issue has been assessed as 'Critical'  by the EGI CSIRT and EGI SVG Risk Assessment Team.  


Affected software
=================

Red Hat Linux 5, 6, and 7 and their derivatives.

As far as we are aware, and from [R 2], this ONLY affects RedHat and its derivatives.


Mitigation
==========

**Update 2015-07-30**

The two possible (temporary) mitigations are:
- Disable all local accounts with local passwords (except root)  or
- Disable accesses to chsh/chfn via PAM as defined in [R1]


Component installation information
==================================

RedHat
------

For RedHat 5 this is not going to be updated as stated in [R 1]. So if using Username and password
 for RH 5 and its derivatives there is a need to migrate to a more recent version of linux. 
In the meantime there is the mitigation documented in [R 1].

For RedHat 6 see [R 3]

For RedHat 7 see [R 4]

**Update 2015-08-06** This patch is now available for SL6 see [R 5].

Recommendations
===============

All those who provide services which are accessed via a local username and password must update 
urgently or take mitigating action.

All affected running resources MUST be either patched or otherwise have a work-around in place by
 2015-07-31  T21:00+01:00. Sites failing to act and/or failing to respond to requests from the EGI
 CSIRT team risk site suspension. 

**Update 2015-07-30**

Due to the absence of release of any patch for Scientific Linux 6, sites that are not able to apply
 the patch are highly encouraged to apply any of the above mitigation while waiting for the patch.


Credit
======

SVG was alerted to this vulnerability by Leif Nixon.

References
==========

[R 1] https://access.redhat.com/articles/1537873

[R 2] http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2015/07/23/16

[R 3] https://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2015-1482.html

[R 4] https://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2015-1483.html

[R 5] https://www.scientificlinux.org/sl-errata/slsa-20151482-1/

Comments
========

Comments or questions should be sent to svg-rat  at  mailman.egi.eu

We are currently revising the vulnerability issue handling procedure so suggestions and comments are welcome. 


Timeline  
========
Yyyy-mm-dd

2015-07-23 SVG alerted to this vulnerability by Leif Nixon.
2015-07-23 Public exploit tested by Vincent Brillault, found to work easily
2015-07-23 All those who looked agreed on 'Critical' where exploitable.
2015-07-24 Advisory drafted.
2015-07-24 Advisory sent to sites
2015-07-30 Update for clarification
2015-08-06 Minor update as patch for SL6 is available.