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GNU screen contains buffer overflow

Vulnerability Note VU#524227

Original Release Date: 2003-05-30 | Last Revised: 2003-07-14

Overview

A locally exploitable buffer overflow exists in GNU screen. An exploit is publicly available for this vulnerability.

Description

The Free Software Foundation describes GNU Screen as follows:

Screen is a full-screen window manager that multiplexes a physical terminal between several processes, typically interactive shells. Each virtual terminal provides the functions of the DEC VT100 terminal and, in addition, several control functions from the ANSI X3.64 (ISO 6429) and ISO 2022 standards (e.g., insert/delete line and support for multiple character sets). There is a scrollback history buffer for each virtual terminal and a copy-and-paste mechanism that allows the user to move text regions between windows. When screen is called, it creates a single window with a shell in it (or the specified command) and then gets out of your way so that you can use the program as you normally would. Then, at any time, you can create new (full-screen) windows with other programs in them (including more shells), kill the current window, view a list of the active windows, turn output logging on and off, copy text between windows, view the scrollback history, switch between windows, etc. All windows run their programs completely independent of each other. Programs continue to run when their window is currently not visible and even when the whole screen session is detached from the users terminal.
The buffer overflow exists in GNU Screen's braille module. According to the GNU Screen maintainers, this buffer overflow is only exploitable if HAVE_BRAILLE is defined in config.h.

Impact

Local users may be able to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.

Solution

Apply a patch from your vendor.

Vendor Information

524227
 

Debian Affected

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: May 30, 2003

Status

Affected

Vendor Statement

The screen binaries distributed by Debian are not built with HAVE_BRAILLE defined, so they are not vulnerable. The vulnerability exists in the source code if the user rebuilds it with HAVE_BRAILLE defined.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

Free Software Foundation Affected

Updated:  May 30, 2003

Status

Affected

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

Please see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gnu-screen/message/981.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

Apple Computer Inc. Not Affected

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: June 02, 2003

Status

Not Affected

Vendor Statement

Mac OS X ships with a later version of GNU Screen which does not contain the vulnerability described in this notice.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

Extreme Networks Not Affected

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: June 10, 2003

Status

Not Affected

Vendor Statement

Extreme Networks software suite is NOT vulnerable to advisory VU#524227.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

Fujitsu Not Affected

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: June 17, 2003

Status

Not Affected

Vendor Statement

Fujitsu's UXP/V o.s. is not affected by the problem in VU#524227 because it does not support the GNU Screen.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

Hitachi Not Affected

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: June 11, 2003

Status

Not Affected

Vendor Statement

NOT Vulnerable to this issue.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

Openwall GNU/*/Linux Not Affected

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: June 02, 2003

Status

Not Affected

Vendor Statement

Openwall GNU/*/Linux is not vulnerable. We build screen without HAVE_BRAILLE. We also only install screen SGID to a group which lets it invoke the utempter and tcb_chkpwd helper binaries. This restriction of permissions on the helper binaries is merely a hardening measure in case of potential bugs in these programs, -- they're designed to be safe even when available to all users.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

Red Hat Inc. Not Affected

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: June 02, 2003

Status

Not Affected

Vendor Statement

Supported versions of Red Hat Linux and Red Hat Enterprise Linux include screen packages that have HAVE_BRAILLE enabled. However since the screen binary is not setuid or setgid this issue is not exploitable.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

SCO Not Affected

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: June 10, 2003

Status

Not Affected

Vendor Statement

Open Linux is not vulnerable. We build Screen without HAVE_BRAILLE.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

SuSE Inc. Not Affected

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: June 03, 2003

Status

Not Affected

Vendor Statement

We are not vulnerable.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

Xerox Corporation Not Affected

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: July 14, 2003

Status

Not Affected

Vendor Statement

A response to this vulnerability is available from our web site: http://www.xerox.com/security.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

3Com Unknown

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: May 30, 2003

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

AT&T Unknown

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: May 30, 2003

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

Alcatel Unknown

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: May 30, 2003

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

Avaya Unknown

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: May 30, 2003

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

BSDI Unknown

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: May 30, 2003

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

Cisco Systems Inc. Unknown

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: May 30, 2003

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

Computer Associates Unknown

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: May 30, 2003

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

Conectiva Unknown

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: May 30, 2003

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

Cray Inc. Unknown

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: May 30, 2003

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

D-Link Systems Unknown

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: May 30, 2003

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

Data General Unknown

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: May 30, 2003

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

Engarde Unknown

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: May 30, 2003

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

F5 Networks Unknown

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: May 30, 2003

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

Foundry Networks Inc. Unknown

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: May 30, 2003

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

FreeBSD Unknown

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: May 30, 2003

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

Hewlett-Packard Company Unknown

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: May 30, 2003

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

IBM Unknown

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: May 30, 2003

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

IBM eServer Unknown

Updated:  June 24, 2003

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

IBM eServer Platform Response

For information related to this and other published CERT Advisories that may relate to the IBM eServer Platforms (xSeries, iSeries, pSeries, and zSeries) please go to:
https://app-06.www.ibm.com/servers/resourcelink/lib03020.nsf/pages/security=alerts?OpenDocument&pathID=3D

In order to access this information you will require a Resource Link ID. To subscribe to Resource Link go to
http://app-06.www.ibm.com/servers/resourcelink
and follow the steps for registration.

All questions should be refered to servsec@us.ibm.com.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

Ingrian Networks Unknown

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: May 30, 2003

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

Intel Unknown

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: May 30, 2003

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

Juniper Networks Unknown

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: May 30, 2003

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

Lachman Unknown

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: May 30, 2003

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

Lotus Software Unknown

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: May 30, 2003

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

Lucent Technologies Unknown

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: May 30, 2003

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

MandrakeSoft Unknown

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: May 30, 2003

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

Microsoft Corporation Unknown

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: May 30, 2003

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

MontaVista Software Unknown

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: May 30, 2003

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

Multi-Tech Systems Inc. Unknown

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: May 30, 2003

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

Multinet Unknown

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: May 30, 2003

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

NEC Corporation Unknown

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: May 30, 2003

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

NeXT Unknown

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: May 30, 2003

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

NetBSD Unknown

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: May 30, 2003

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

Netscreen Unknown

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: May 30, 2003

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

Network Appliance Unknown

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: May 30, 2003

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

Nokia Unknown

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: May 30, 2003

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

Nortel Networks Unknown

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: May 30, 2003

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

OpenBSD Unknown

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: May 30, 2003

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

Oracle Corporation Unknown

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: May 30, 2003

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

Riverstone Networks Unknown

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: May 30, 2003

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

SGI Unknown

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: May 30, 2003

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

Sequent Unknown

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: May 30, 2003

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

Sony Corporation Unknown

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: May 30, 2003

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

Sun Microsystems Inc. Unknown

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: May 30, 2003

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

Unisys Unknown

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: May 30, 2003

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

Wind River Systems Inc. Unknown

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: May 30, 2003

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

Wirex Unknown

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: May 30, 2003

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

ZyXEL Unknown

Notified:  May 30, 2003 Updated: May 30, 2003

Status

Unknown

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.

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References

Acknowledgements

This vulnerability was discovered by Gobbles.

This document was written by Ian A. Finlay.

Other Information

CVE IDs: None
Severity Metric: 24.58
Date Public: 2002-04-23
Date First Published: 2003-05-30
Date Last Updated: 2003-07-14 18:17 UTC
Document Revision: 9

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