Note: This is an archival copy of Security Sun Alert 259388 as previously published on http://sunsolve.sun.com.
Latest version of this security advisory is available from http://support.oracle.com as Sun Alert 1020486.1.
Article ID : 1020486.1
Article Type : Sun Alerts (SURE)
Last reviewed : 2009-08-10
Audience : PUBLIC
Copyright Notice: Copyright © 2010, Oracle Corporation and/or its affiliates.

A Security Vulnerability Involving xscreensaver(1) and Assistive Technology Support May Allow an Unauthorized User to Access the System

Category
Security

Release Phase
Resolved

Bug Id
6736157

Product
Solaris 10 Operating System
OpenSolaris

Date of Resolved Release
11-Aug-2009

A security vulnerability involving xscreensaver(1) and Assistive Technology Support:

1. Impact

A security vulnerability involving xscreensaver(1) and Assistive Technology Support may allow a local user with physical access to a system to be able to unlock an X display which has been locked using xscreensaver(1) and thus gain unauthorized access to the system.

2. Contributing Factors

This issue can occur in the following releases:

SPARC Platform
  • Solaris 10 without patch 120094-24
  • OpenSolaris based upon builds snv_01 through snv_110
x86 Platform
  • Solaris 10 without patch 120095-24
  • OpenSolaris based upon builds snv_01 through snv_110
Note 1: Solaris 8 and Solaris 9 are not impacted by this issue.

Note 2: OpenSolaris distributions may include additional bug fixes above and beyond the build from which it was derived.  To determine the base build of OpenSolaris, the following command can be used:
    $ uname -v
    snv_101
This issue only occurs on systems that have the "Assistive Technologies" feature enabled. To determine if this feature is enabled, the following command can be used:
    $ gnome-at-properties
In the popup box, "Enable Assistive Technologies" will be checked.
3. Symptoms

There are no predictable symptoms that would indicate the described vulnerability has been exploited.

4. Workaround

To work around the described issue, Assistive Technology can be temporarily disabled by using the following command:
    $gnome-at-properties
Uncheck "Enable Assistive Technologies" in the popup box.

5. Resolution

This issue is addressed in the following releases:

SPARC Platform
  • Solaris 10 with patch 120094-24
  • OpenSolaris based upon builds snv_111 or later
x86 Platform
  • Solaris 10 with patch 120095-24 or later
  • OpenSolaris based upon builds snv_111 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.

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References

120095-24
120094-24





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