Mandrake Linux Security Advisory : perl (MDKSA-2000:031)

high Nessus Plugin ID 61827

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Synopsis

The remote Mandrake Linux host is missing one or more security updates.

Description

There is a vulnerability that exists when using setuidperl together with the mailx program. In some cases, setuidperl will warn root that something has going on. The setuidperl program uses /bin/mail to send the message, as root, with the environment preserved. An undocumented feature of /bin/mail consists of it interpretting the ~! sequence even if it is not running on the terminal, and the message also contains the script name, taken from argv[1]. With all of this combined, it is possible to execute a command using ~! passed in the script name to create a suid shell. The instance of setuidperl sending such a message can only be reached if you try to fool perl into forcing the execution of one file instead of another. This vulnerability may not be limited to just the mailx program, which is why an upgrade for perl is provided as opposed to an upgrade for mailx.

Solution

Update the affected perl and / or perl-base packages.

Plugin Details

Severity: High

ID: 61827

File Name: mandrake_MDKSA-2000-031.nasl

Version: 1.6

Type: local

Family: Mandriva Local Security Checks

Published: 9/6/2012

Updated: 1/6/2021

Supported Sensors: Nessus

Vulnerability Information

CPE: p-cpe:/a:mandriva:linux:perl, p-cpe:/a:mandriva:linux:perl-base, cpe:/o:mandrakesoft:mandrake_linux:6.0, cpe:/o:mandrakesoft:mandrake_linux:6.1, cpe:/o:mandrakesoft:mandrake_linux:7.0, cpe:/o:mandrakesoft:mandrake_linux:7.1

Required KB Items: Host/local_checks_enabled, Host/cpu, Host/Mandrake/release, Host/Mandrake/rpm-list

Patch Publication Date: 8/8/2000

Reference Information

MDKSA: 2000:031

Detections

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