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Debian CVS "pserver" remote access authentication bypass vulnerability

Vulnerability Note VU#327037

Original Release Date: 2005-05-05 | Last Revised: 2005-05-11

Overview

Debian Concurrent Versions System (CVS) remote repositories using "pserver" with the cvs-repouid Debian patch are vulnerable to authentication bypass.

Description

CVS is a version control and source code maintenance system that is widely used by open-source software development projects.

The "pserver" is one method used to provide remote access to CVS repositories. Debian included a patch/enhancement, referred to as the cvs-repouid patch, to enhance security when using the "pserver" remote access method.

Using the pserver access method in conjunction with the Debian repouid patch, it is possible to bypass the password authentication mechanism and gain access to the repository in question. Debian states in their original security advisory that this vulnerability is Debian specific.

Impact

Attackers could obtain unauthorized remote access to a CVS repository and modify its contents.

Solution

Apply the patch


Debian reported that the vulnerability has been fixed in the:
stable distribution (woody) version 1.11.1p1debian-10.
unstable distribution (sid) version 1.12.9-11.

For more information see Debian's security advisory available at:
http://www.debian.org/security/2005/dsa-715

Vendor Information

327037
 

Debian Affected

Updated:  April 29, 2005

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

Debain has released a security advisory about this vulnerability along with patch information. The advisroy is available at:

http://www.debian.org/security/2005/dsa-715

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


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References

Acknowledgements

Debian credits Maks Polunin and Alberto Garcia with independently discovering this issue. This vulnerability was reported in Debian advisory DSA-715-1.

This document was written by Robert Mead based on information from Debian.

Other Information

CVE IDs: CVE-2004-1342
Severity Metric: 10.55
Date Public: 2005-04-27
Date First Published: 2005-05-05
Date Last Updated: 2005-05-11 14:27 UTC
Document Revision: 20

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