iDefense Security Advisory 04.03.08
http://labs.idefense.com/intelligence/vulnerabilities/
Apr 03, 2008

I. BACKGROUND

SCO UnixWare is a UNIX operating system that runs on many OEM platforms.
The pkgadd command is used to install packages on the system. More
information about the product is available from the URL shown below.

http://www.sco.com/products/unixware714/

II. DESCRIPTION

Local exploitation of a directory traversal vulnerability within the
pkgadd program distributed with SCO Group Inc's UnixWare operating
system allows attackers to gain root privileges.

By setting an environment variable to a value containing directory
traversal sequences, such as "…/", an attacker can cause the program
to create or append to arbitrary files on the system.

III. ANALYSIS

Exploitation allows attackers gain root privileges. Access to execute
arbitrary shell commands is required to exploit this issue.

By targeting specific system files, an attacker can add accounts or
otherwise facilitate privilege escalation.

IV. DETECTION

iDefense confirmed the existence of this vulnerability within version
7.1.4 of UnixWare with all patches available as of August 27th, 2007
installed. Previous versions are suspected to be vulnerable.

V. WORKAROUND

Changing the permissions of the pkgadd command to only allow root to
execute this program will prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.

chmod 700 /usr/sbin/pkgadd

VI. VENDOR RESPONSE

SCO has addressed this vulnerability by releasing patches. For more
information, consult their advisory at the following URL.

http://www.sco.com/support/update/download/release.php?rid=324

VII. CVE INFORMATION

The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) project has assigned the
name CVE-2008-0310 to this issue. This is a candidate for inclusion in
the CVE list (http://cve.mitre.org/), which standardizes names for
security problems.

VIII. DISCLOSURE TIMELINE

09/04/2007 Initial vendor notification
10/30/2007 Initial vendor response
04/03/2008 Coordinated public disclosure

IX. CREDIT

The discoverer of this vulnerability wishes to remain anonymous.

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X. LEGAL NOTICES

Copyright © 2008 iDefense, Inc.

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Disclaimer: The information in the advisory is believed to be accurate
at the time of publishing based on currently available information. Use
of the information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS condition.
There are no warranties with regard to this information. Neither the
author nor the publisher accepts any liability for any direct,
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reliance on, this information.