Note: This is an archival copy of Security Sun Alert 237987 as previously published on http://sunsolve.sun.com.
Latest version of this security advisory is available from http://support.oracle.com as Sun Alert 1019269.1.
Article ID : 1019269.1
Article Type : Sun Alerts (SURE)
Last reviewed : 2008-09-16
Audience : PUBLIC
Copyright Notice: Copyright © 2010, Oracle Corporation and/or its affiliates.

Manipulated Tag Files used with Solaris Text Editors May Lead to Execution of Arbitrary Code

Category
Security

Release Phase
Resolved

Bug Id
6510560

Product
Solaris 8 Operating System
Solaris 9 Operating System
Solaris 10 Operating System

Date of Resolved Release
17-Sep-2008

Manipulated Tag Files used with Solaris Text Editors May Lead to Execution of Arbitrary Code

1. Impact

A security vulnerability in the Solaris text editors (vi(1), ex(1), vedit(1), view(1), edit(1)), related to the handling of tags (see ctags(1)) may allow a local unprivileged user to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of another user.

Sun acknowledges with thanks, "Eli the Bearded" for bringing this issue to our attention.

2. Contributing Factors

This issue can occur in the following releases:

SPARC Platform:
  • Solaris 8 without patch 110903-08
  • Solaris 9 without patch 113031-04
  • Solaris 10 without patch 120830-06
x86 Platform:
  • Solaris 8 without patch 110904-08
  • Solaris 9 without patch 116479-02
  • Solaris 10 without patch 120831-06

3. Symptoms

There are no reliable symptoms that would indicate the described issue has occurred.

4. Workaround

To avoid this issue, do not use the '-t' option or the ':tag' command with the Solaris text editors (vi, ex, vedit, view or edit). Use the ctags(1) utility to recreate the tags file.

5. Resolution

This issue is addressed in the following releases:

SPARC Platform

  • Solaris 8 with patch 110903-08 or later
  • Solaris 9 with patch 113031-04 or later
  • Solaris 10 with patch 120830-06 or later

x86 Platform

  • Solaris 8 with patch 110904-08 or later
  • Solaris 9 with patch 116479-02 or later
  • Solaris 10 with patch 120831-06 or later

For more information on Security Sun Alerts, see 1009886.1.

This Sun Alert notification is being provided to you on an "AS IS" basis. This Sun Alert notification may contain information provided by third parties. The issues described in this Sun Alert notification may or may not impact your system(s). Sun makes no representations, warranties, or guarantees as to the information contained herein. ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT, ARE HEREBY DISCLAIMED. BY ACCESSING THIS DOCUMENT YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT SUN SHALL IN NO EVENT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES THAT ARISE OUT OF YOUR USE OR FAILURE TO USE THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN. This Sun Alert notification contains Sun proprietary and confidential information. It is being provided to you pursuant to the provisions of your agreement to purchase services from Sun, or, if you do not have such an agreement, the Sun.com Terms of Use. This Sun Alert notification may only be used for the purposes contemplated by these agreements.

Copyright 2000-2008 Sun Microsystems, Inc., 4150 Network Circle, Santa Clara, CA 95054 U.S.A. All rights reserved.


References

120830-06
120831-06
110903-08
113031-04
110904-08
116479-02





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